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Soul Serpent

Skipaway Ltd
Medway City Estate
Kent ME4


Soul Serpent

The idea behind the proposed project
I picture a serpent that rises with the tide; as water seeps into the Medway estuary it fills the snake with life. Energy rises through its body, tapping into tidal, wind and solar energy, and breathes ancient spirit into the land. From across the river bank as you go to and from school and work, this colourful changing creature sparks movement and colour from an industrial site, creating interest and beauty. Current technology shows possible use of visual rainbow effects created using wind turbines; solar and tidal power will be researched.
Skipaway Ltd, a recycling company in Kent, has an area of reclaimed land and would like to commission a piece of artwork to showcase sustainable living and business to the community at large. Wind on the estate is a fact of life and siting the sculpture on the river bank will also make tidal power accessible and solar power or photo-voltaic panels for the 'body'. The company also produces an aggregate, which will be used at the base of the sculpture as part of the garden feature.
As an artist, I would like to highlight the use of wind, solar and tidal power in sites everywhere. On an industrial site such as this, DTI funding may be available as energy will feed back into the national grid, supplying some of the factory and office's energy needs. The sculpture will be colourful and eye catching, and due to its height, it will be visible by bus and train travellers, by school children and passengers on bus routes, by drivers going to work on both sides of the Medway river.
Situated across the river from the Chatham Maritime Museum, it would provide another riverside attraction to visitors in Medway. .
Project Partners:
Mark Orsbourn, Managing Director of Skipaway Limited and Terrance Butler Holdings (TBH) who own the land;
Medway Council (contact already made with the arts team, waste minimisation department)
Medway Friends of the Earth, the Sunlight Development Trust and Groundwork Medway Swale.
Project Plan
The idea was submitted to Art Plus 2007 and shortlisted but unsuccessful. We are actively looking for funding partners.
  • Research (and cost) existing wind turbines, solar and photo-voltaic panels, tidal energy options.
  • Research funding available for the finished sculpture from a variety of sources.
  • Examine public access and safety / planning issues via Medway Council.
  • Research local Medway visual symbols (historically and archaeologically).
  • Involve the local community in the design, via the Sunlight Centre and the local press.
  • Design the overall structure (and its feasibility) in liaison with consultants / engineers.
  • Design the garden element and the base.
  • Prepare visuals / model and funding budget required for the final proposal.
  • Make the sculpture, once funding is found.