Testing an idea

©2019 Barry Smith - Prototype of a small sculpture that represents a traditional Scottish herring boat out on a stormy sea.

I have been playing with the idea of doing a few small works that reflect our time in Scotland.

Each day we walked to the fishing cove at the end of the village. From our research there has been a fishing storage hut in the cove since about 1830.

We had also visited Wick museum and the Whaligoe Steps which both impressed on me the importance and hardship of the herring fishing industry at that time.

My small prototype represent a small traditional Scottish herring boat - powered by sail and oars. A very hard, and most likely dangerous, way to earn a living.

I think the prototype has worked out pretty well.

©2019 Barry Smith - Rough fold-formed hull

©2019 Barry Smith - A good wind from behind - on the workbench

©2019 Barry Smith

The hull is made from fold formed recycled copper sheet; the sail from a salvaged silver-plated tray; and the base is inked salvaged camphor laurel timber .