Oyster Bench 1989
Seafront, Whitstable, Kent
Materials : Reclaimed Jarrah and Greenheart, Steel
Funded by: Canterbury City Council, Canterbury Festival, South East Arts, KCC, Bretts

Members of the Whitstable Artists' and Musicians' Cooperative initiated and ran a project to make use of the groyne timbers which were being grubbed up and burnt during the redevelopment of the town's sea defenses in 1988. We ran up designs, exhibited them at Whitstable Museum, and gained funding support from a number of souces.

Five seats were designed and funded. Four of the seats were created by local artists. Unfortunately, one '(con) artist' decided to move to London with the money and not do the work!

My seat celebrates the town's oyster industry with its integrated design and carving depicting oyster smacks, oysters and the sea. An oyster dredge is suggested in the steel inset.