Sea Shells in Progress

Sea Shells.

"Islanders paid tribute to Saint Helier with the traditional pilgrimage from town to Elizabeth Castle..."

As part of the Fete de at Helier celebrations local artists have created "...a display of shell sculptures at the Weighbridge. The sculptures which have been decorated by schools, community groups, youth groups and artists, will move around the Island over the next month."

JEP 20th July 2007

These structures were designed by raewyn Greggain, of the Jersey Arts Trust but customised by the help of Trinity Youth Project's junior members and Maufant Senior members. Each evolved following discussion and design work through workshops with Anna Louise Shipley.

The Yellow shell was decorated with broken ceramics to echo the pottery washed up on our shores and the barnacles which cluster on the rocks and sea life we are familiar with. The materials used have been reclaimed and kindly provided by the Cry Charity Shop in St Helier. 

The collaged form re-uses paper to describe the contours of the shell. Song lyrics were selected and incorporated onto the surface as it is a language familiar with young people. They felt they could express themselves coherently using words which had a deeper meaning or narrative. The familiar idea of listening to a seascape through a shell is the device the Maufant members wanted to use to convey their youth voice. Spiraling from the centre, it reads "Whispering shells speak of youths and truths..." followed by words from contemporary music.