Venus and Cupid

Morecambe promenade

The alternative title of this sculpture by Lancashire artist Shane Johnstone is "Love, the most beautiful of absolute disasters". It stands on Scalestone Point on the edge of Morecambe Bay as you enter Morecambe from Hest Bank to the north. This location was occupied by a defensive gun emplacement during the 2nd World War.

The sculpture is dedicated to all those lost working at sea. It is covered in coloured mosaic tiles and on Venus's back there is a whale's fluke. You can see a more conventional image here.

The sculptor paid for Venus & Cupid to be sited here for five years. The five years is up, and there is a debate as to whether the Council should buy it to be permanently sited. It isn't the best time for local authorities to be investing in works of public art. A shame, because this is a very beautiful piece, wonderfully positioned next to the Bay. Not everyone likes it, but that's art, it provokes strong feelings for and against.

I had a quiet day today after yesterday's exertions. I was in Morecambe to take the Jazz for its annual service and MoT. Not a cheap day out, but it was good to have an opportunity to stop and look at the sculpture and the Bay as the sun was going down. I have posted a few other images of Morecambe on Flickr. I hope you like them, meganrose.