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The Maritime Art Trail
has been designed to link the various artworks that celebrate Lowestoft's
heritage. This leaflet has been produced to draw the works to your attention
and to give you an insight into the artist's message and inspiration.
The Maritime Art Trail will grow as developments in Lowestoft take shape -
this edition of the leaflet describes those works that were completed in summer
2001.
The designs vary from large works known as environmental art where the art
is inspired by the characteristics of the site and the finished work becomes
part of the landscape - such as the Ness Beacon - to sculptures like the Pier
and Ocean that uses light. The nature of the works also varies from literal
interpretations of the theme to more symbolic designs.
Artists commissioned to date have been nationally recognised but in time it
is hoped that local artists will play a greater part the scheme.
Scores
The scores are ancient pathways that lead down to
the sea. It is thought that the name 'score' comes from the verb 'to scour'
or the Old Norse 'skor' which means 'notch'. Many of the scores were named
after local people or after the public houses that stood at their top. The
scores link the historic High Street of Lowestoft with the north beach area
that was originally the centre of activity for the local fishing industry.
Crown Score is home to the 'invasion
of crabs' sculpture. This is one of a series
of works by artist Paul Amey designed to augment the scores. The design
suggests that having escaped the fishmonger's slab, the crabs are threatening
an assault on the High Street.
In
Martin's Score there is a display of 'fishing
boat' plaques that form an outdoor gallery
of the town's nautical history showing some of the many Lowestoft based vessels.
Down
Wilde's Score swim the 'shoal
of herring' vainly seeking to make their way
back to the sea. The link between Lowestoft and herring was very strong for
many years as the small fish were caught in prodigious quantities by local
fishing fleets. The link will be celebrated by the further development of
the Red Herring Trail that will lead visitors to places of interest across
the town.
A
giant mackerel
statue leans against the 'crinkle crankle' wall in Spurgeon Score representing
a prize catch - its heavy weight causing the wall to bow. Crinkle
crankle or 'serpentine' walls are a traditional
Suffolk design built to withstand winds and the passage of time even though
they are often only a single brick in thickness and are built without buttresses.
Skeletal
fish sculptures can be found on the walls
of Maltster's Score. These are an allusion to Lowestoft's maritime
past and suggest ghostly images of fishing catches. Their shape also symbolises
the decaying structure of ancient ships.
The
mural
in the Triangle Market Place is a depiction of Lowestoft then and now,
taking us through various aspects of the town's history from 1800 to the present
day. The work was undertaken by the Richard Skeat and Claire Hamburger
of the Waveney Arts Company.