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Walking with the Sea - Turning with the Sea |
artist(s):
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Richard Harris |
| location |
Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park [south west Wales] |
| completed |
April 2000 |
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The receipt of substantial Millennium Commission funding enabled Carmarthenshire County Council to instigate a massive project to restore 21km of coastline stretching from the Loughor Estuary to Pembrey. Situated on the doorstep of the Llanelli urban area, the region encompasses a diverse landscape, ranging from former sites of heavy industry to untouched tidal marshlands. It has proved to be one of the most imaginative of all the Millennium Schemes with sustainability as a keymark.
Cywaith Cymru were involved in the preparation of the initial successful bid to the Millennium Commission and subsequently prepared an art strategy for this groundbreaking project. The resulting projects in different areas of the park show the inspiration gleaned from the extraordinary natural landscape and rich industrial heritage of the area. Artists have increasingly been drawn into concerns for the nature of the natural environment and are frequently involved with projects that seek to safeguard valuable nature sites and to assist with their interpretation.
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Richard Harris’s earthwork takes advantage of a naturally occurring low headland at the end of small sandy bay and is built up in a series of sweeping spirals that echo the landform and create a dramatic profile as you approach from the east. Part of the success of this brave new work, done in conjunction with Consulting Engineers Mott Macdonald and TACP Landscape Architects, is that in spite of its scale, it has a sense of belonging in this re-invented landscape. It was recognised by a Rural Award from the Carmarthen branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales for an ‘earth sculpture that provides sweeping views of the Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park and surrounding coast.’
The giant earth sculpture rose like a proverbial phoenix from the ash tip of the old Carmarthen Bay Power Station at Burry Port with visual energy and presence. A series of paths snake around and unfold up the man made hill so that it can be physically explored and enjoyed. For sculptor Richard Harris it ‘embodies the coming together of a relationship between the land, sea and people. The sculpture is on the edge, turning into a promontory – the coastal path is elevated giving views over the park, the surrounding land and across the water to the Gower – a place to feel openness, wind and light before turning down to the small sandy beach.’
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Internationally renowned for his work Richard Harris, who lives near Builth Wells in mid Wales has worked on several projects for Cywaith Cymru . Artworks Wales, including two site-specific sculpture exhibitions, at Festival Park, Ebbw Vale in 1997 and at Middleton, the National Botanic Garden for Wales in 2003. He also has public commissions in St David’s in Pembrokeshire and Wrexham in north Wales.
The headland can be glimpsed from the A484 as you approach Pwll, on the outskirts of Llanelli travelling towards Burry Port, but to appreciate it fully you must leave your car and walk across one of the new land bridges. This will lead you to the spiralling pathways that zig-zag upwards at a gentle pace and reward you with the spectacular view across the estuary from the top. Remember also to look out for lucky four leaf clovers on the way!
Cywaith Cymru . Artworks Wales managed the project for the Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park and Carmarthenshire County Council. As the national organisation for public art in Wales it works closely with clients, advising on the selection of appropriate sites and managing the whole commission process from the selection of artists, preparing contracts and overseeing the programme of work.
More information and other documentation
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