When writing in the New Stour & Avon’s November 5 issue about local sculptor, Gary Smith and the unique creations he forges from everyday metal objects, readers may recall that we mentioned how the ‘Da Vinci of the cutlery drawer’ was working on his biggest commission to date, the nature of which was shrouded in mystery.

At the time of the interview, the only clues that Gary, also known as Gingernutz, could give about his piece, called Sailing Through Time, were that it paid homage to a famous classic book and its equally-famous author who once lived in Westbourne. Now, all is literally revealed as his completed work has been unveiled at its permanent location, a new apartment block named Hispaniola in Clarendon Road, and is a stunning, abstract interpretation of a majestic ship in full sail. Crafted from metal and incorporating an aged scroll and a book, with open pages, on closer inspection it turns out to be Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of high-seas shipwreck and adventure, Treasure Island. “I was commissioned to create a sculpture to be placed in the gardens,” says Gary.

“The theme of this piece is Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Treasure Island as he lived in Westbourne from 1884-1887,” he says. “I wanted to make a sculpture that captures both the historical and the modern eras. “I made a scroll map out of Corten steel, making it look aged, and on top of the map is a stainless nautical sphere.” He adds: “Balancing on the sphere is the open book with engravings of Treasure Island’s famous phrases and images. “Rising up out of the pages of the book are highly polished stainless-steel contemporary sails in reference to the Hispaniola – the ship made famous in Louis Stevenson’s story.” “I’ve been working on this for about a year and I’m very pleased to see it in place now after all this time.”

by Lorraine Gibson
newsdesk@stourandavon.net