Good news for Island sculptor, Paul Sivell. Michelle Russell from the Island Games, tells us more in her own words. Ed
The Island Games Association (IW) are delighted to announce that Paul Sivell, the Isle of Wight’s best known and highly respected wood sculptor has been awarded the commission to make the sculpture for the Water Ceremony at the NatWest Island Games which takes place on the Isle of Wight on 25 June – 1 July this year.
The sculpture will be approx 1.8m high and depicts two hands carved from Island oak holding a bowl sculptured from beaten copper. The base will be carved into the shape of the Isle of Wight and will also be covered in beaten copper.
‘The Friendly Games’
The Water Ceremony is an integral part of the NatWest Island Games Opening Ceremony and involves a representative from each of the participating 25 Islands adding water representing their Island into the copper bowl which will have a capacity to hold between 25 and 30 litres of water.
The Ceremony itself is a symbolic mixing of the waters recognising the ‘Island’ status of the competing nations and their merger for a major sporting festival – ‘The Friendly Games’. The Water Ceremony is as significant to the Games Opening Ceremony as the lighting of the Olympic flame.
Keith Lane, Ceremonies Manager, said, “We received four high class bids from local artists/creative companies for this commission which were considered by the Ceremonies Working Group. It was a very difficult decision but Paul’s bid was chosen because his design both encapsulates the ethos of the Games with the carved hands, and the local perspective with the Isle of Wight shaped base”.
Background on Paul Sivell
Paul Sivell is Island born and bred. He began his career in forestry, arboriculture and countryside management . He did however begin experimenting with wood sculpture about 30 years ago. The demand for his work steadily increased and he now has a steady flow of both public and private commissions.
Paul has worked extensively throughout the UK but has also undertaken commissions in Europe, America and Turkey. Paul’s most common working media is condemned, dead or dying trees. He considers himself to be an environmental artist as he creates most of his work from recycling trees which would otherwise often end up in landfill. The majority of his work is site specific with themes that are inspired by nature, local traditions and mythology.
