Acclaimed artist's sculpture keeps watch on wildlife at Scottish Seabird Centre
April 2014
The Scottish Seabird Centre has unveiled a stunning new sculpture by the acclaimed Scottish artist Kenny Hunter.
Hunter, best known for his Citizen Firefighter sculpture outside Glasgow's Central Station, was commissioned to create The Watcher by the Scottish Seabird Centre following an open competition for artists in 2011 to create innovative and stunning new works of art to act as gateways to the Seabird Centre.
Following 30 original artist submissions, a public exhibition and vote, two winning commissions were selected. Fellow Scottish artist Diane McLean was the first to have her winning sculpture erected, with her gannet archway installed in December 2013.
The Watcher is a life-sized figure cast in bronze at the foundry at Powderhall Bronze, Edinburgh. The male figure is adult, contemporary and dressed in outdoor wear, typical of a bird watcher or naturalist. Along with his binoculars he carries a camera bag and wears stout boots. His gaze is directed northeast toward the world-famous Bass Rock which is home to around 150,000 gannets at the peak of the breeding season.
The Scottish Seabird Centre is dedicated to inspiring people to enjoy, conserve and learn about wildlife and the natural environment. Kenny Hunter has an emotional connection to North Berwick which stems from his East Lothian childhood, during which he would make regular trips to the town. As an adult, Hunter has continued to enjoy the boat trips from the harbour out to the incredible Bass Rock as his interest in nature and Scottish wildlife has grown.
Tom Brock OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: "Art is an outstanding way to inspire people about wildlife. Since opening, the Seabird Centre has supported numerous photographers, painters and sculptors and many of their works can now be seen in and around the Centre.
"As we celebrate Scotland's wildlife in the year of Homecoming, this latest addition at the approach to the Centre and looking out to the world's largest single island gannet colony will hopefully make people think about our impact on wildlife and the natural environment – both good and bad – historically, now and in the future. This stunning new sculpture by an artist of Kenny Hunter's calibre, with Scotland's wildlife as its inspiration, will, I am sure, be a popular additional attraction at the Scottish Seabird Centre.
"We are very grateful to everyone that has supported this wonderful initiative, in particular Creative Scotland and East Lothian Council. We are also grateful to everyone that voted in the public competition to choose the winning sculptures."
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