The five artists competing to create Torquay's Agatha Christie sculpture
Five artists have been shortlisted to design a sculpture on Torquay harbourside as a tribute to Torbay’s most famous daughter - Dame Agatha Christie.
It will now be down to the public which of them gets to create the new work to recall the Queen of Crime’s Torquay heritage.
In September artists were invited to submit an application for the project, which is being funded through the Government’s Towns Fund.
The final artists were selected by a panel made up of representatives from Torbay Council, Agatha Christie Ltd, the international Agatha Christie Festival, Torbay Culture and Torquay Town Board.
The panel assessed each submission on how it ‘captured the spirit of Agatha Christie, her Life and Work’.
The five artists chosen to make up the final shortlist are:
David A Annand
David is a public artist and sculptor who lives and works in Kilmany in the Scottish county of Fife.
David’s proposal is to create a slightly larger than life-sized figure of Agatha Christie and her short-haired terrier Peter.
She would either be holding him, or they could be sitting apart.
The sculpture will contain a few stainless-steel elements that will be designed for people to sit on and contemplate the quotes written there.
Elisabeth Hadley
Elisabeth is a sculptor based in Brixham, and her previous work includes the port’s Man And Boy sculpture.
Her proposal is to create a sculpture of Agatha sitting on a bench, thoughtfully thinking about her next great work, or admiring the surroundings she was passionate about.
Having her sat on a bench would allow for more engagement.
Her fans could visit and take a seat next to her and really feel a close connection with their literary idol.
Gordon Young
Gordon is an artist from Carlisle, now based in Somerset.
Gordon’s proposal is to create a unique and engaging piece of artwork to commend this English icon and her home town for the community and beyond to enjoy.
Most of Gordon’s artwork is text based as he understands the power and magic potential in words.
Hazel Reeves
Hazel is a figurative sculptor based in Brighton.
Her proposal is to create a statue in bronze.
It will be dynamic, it will have intrigue with clues to Agatha’s life and work to engage passers-by as well as conveying humour, intelligence her love of travel and of course her affection for Torquay.
Yorkshire Fine Arts / The Lost Foundry Devon
Steve Winterburn, sculptor at Yorkshire Fine Arts, and concept designer Harvey Gardiner, will work with The Lost Foundry Devon to capture the ‘spirit of Agatha Christie’ through a sculpture that portrays her special relationship with Torquay, Torbay and Devon, including her connection with nature, the outdoors, her passion from travel, people and places.
An art piece with dynamic engaging movement, interaction, mystery and adventure.
The public will have the final say on the piece that will be developed and installed, and online voting is open until January 16.
The winner will be announced shortly afterwards, and the winning design is planned to be unveiled in the autumn of 2022.
Torbay Council Cabinet members Swithin Long said: “Enhancing and celebrating Torbay’s cultural heritage is a key aspect of our regeneration plans.
“This new artwork will complement and complete the new-look Strand and harbour area perfectly as we open up and re-energise the space so that can be enjoyed all year round by both residents and visitors.”
Fellow Cabinet member Mike Morey added: “Agatha Christie is without a doubt the most famous literary connection for Torbay.
“It’s great that the public can now get to decide on how they would like to see the spirit of Agatha Christie captured through this specially commissioned piece of artwork, in such a prominent position.”