Pebble mosaic, cut granite. 3.5m diameter.

A permanent artwork for Guanshan Water Park, Taitung, Taiwan. Commissioned by Land Festival and Maggy Howarth Studios.

I gathered much inspiration for the design from my first few days of the residency in Taiwan. Driving from Taitung through the mountains and visiting the coast and villages along the way was unforgettable. I spoke with people about the local plants, geology, wildlife and industry of farming and fishing. Getting a sense of a place watched over by mountains much steeper and taller than I had ever seen and a coast where the colour palette seemed to me almost otherworldly. The turquoise blue sea, deep grey volcanic rocks and bright white boulders so different to the greys/browns and blues of the North west coast of the UK.

I needed to choose subject matter that would work well in pebble mosaic and be relevant to the place. I settled on the Deinakistrodon snake because although I didn’t see him myself I was told by local people that he lives nearby. Of all the wildlife I discussed with people I met in and around Taitung the snake seemed to resonate the most. I like the simplicity of his shape and the boldness of his pattern and the particular atmosphere he exudes. I surrounded him with cut granite in bold contrasting shedes to illustrate the mountains and the sun. The mountains because they were present in every part of my stay in Taiwan and the sun because it warmed me after a long cold UK winter! 

It was most important to me that the artwork reflected and felt harmonious within its setting but that it also brought something of the design and making ethos of Maggy Howarth and myself to Guanshan and Taiwan.

Photos courtesy of David Chiu

Commissioned by Land Festival, Taitung.