Fish Net Art Award
A 25ft high sculpture of fish on a roundabout in Erith has come second in one of the country's most prestigious art awards.
'The Erith Fish' was runner up in the Rouse Kent Public Art Award 2007, which is given each year by Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd, Kent County Council and Arts Council England, South East.
Created by Gary Drostle and commissioned by Bexley Council, 'The Erith Fish' is a sculpture of three intertwined fish rising up in a column and coated with brightly patterned glass mosaic. Gary and the Council share £5,000 in prize money.
Councillor Peter Catterall, who attended the award ceremony on 23 May, said: "We are delighted at this award and prize. The judges recognised that Gary's fish is great example of how art can give a sense of identity and location to a community and we hope that this success really helps to put Erith on the map."
Its creator Gary Drostle said he was delighted his work had been honoured. He went on: "I was amazed to do so well as the competition was very stiff. The sculpture is an unusual piece of work and it is great to be recognised in this way."
The sculpture aims at combining a sense of Erith's past through the use of the old town coat of arms (three fish) with a hopeful view of the future - with the realisation of the Thames's key role in Erith's future.
The award's judging panel was chaired by leading art expert Richard Cork - who recently appeared on 'The Private Life of a Christmas Masterpiece' about Van Eyck's painting 'The Annunciation' on BBC2 and has written numerous art books.
Commenting on this year's entries, Richard Cork said: "The entries were tremendously varied and it was interesting to see the way the artists approached the individual settings. It is really encouraging to see people being so adventurous in the creation of public art and businesses devoting time and resources to fostering the arts."
