Artists shortlisted for Fishermen’s memorial

18 April 2017

Draft proposals from four artists have been shortlisted for a memorial dedicated to the men and women who lived, worked and died in the fishing industry in Aberdeen.

The Fishermen’s Memorial Working Group at Aberdeen City Council issued an artist’s brief in March 2017, which invited artists to submit their proposals for a memorial. Following the deadline of 04 April 2017, 26 applicants submitted outline proposals to the working group.

The four shortlisted artists will now be invited to submit their full proposals by Monday 07 August 2017, with interviews being held the following week. The working group will then decide which artist has been awarded the commission.

The full proposals must include visualisations or models of their design, which reflect the major contribution the fishing industry has made to the life of the city and its heritage, and the contribution made by both men and women.

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam said: “We have been very pleased with the interest shown by so many talented artists and I think it shows Aberdeen’s reputation as a leading city for visual arts. The quality of submissions was very high and there were a number of strong proposals which really fit the brief. I look forward to seeing how these four proposals translate into visual representations and to seeing the work progress.”

It is expected that the memorial will endeavour to combine the various elements of the industry and the city’s coastal location in order to create a reflective artwork which both informs and provides opportunity for contemplation.

Earliest records of the fishing industry in Aberdeen date back to the 1100’s with evidence of the first wooden harbour at Shiprow.

The artwork, which will be located outside Aberdeen Maritime Museum, in Shiprow, is expected to be unveiled in summer 2018. Plans are also under way for a new piece of music dedicated to ‘fisherfolk’, which will be premiered at the unveiling.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city's long relationship with the sea and is home to a unique collection covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history. The award-winning museum also offers visitors a spectacular view over the city’s busy harbour.

The Fishermen’s Memorial Working Group was established following the Lord Provost’s of Aberdeen George Adam put forward a successful motion to Full Council in December 2014. The motion by the Lord Provost asked:

‘That Aberdeen City Council agrees to take forward approaches from associates of the local fishing industry to create an appropriate and lasting memorial to the men and women who lived, worked and died in it, in peacetime and in war, and to commemorate the major contribution which fishing has made to the city’s life and heritage. Officers are instructed to report on the establishment of a small working group, the scope of a commission, and confirmation of a budget with a view to obtaining contributions to build on external funds already secured.’