An island-based sculptor has unveiled his latest creation in the grounds of the Villa Marina.

Gavin Carter has erected ’Fish Totem’, an eight-foot wooden carving, in amongst the tree on the rear slopes of the gardens.

It features a pattern of fish carved into the face, and was created during last year’s Art In The Park event, organised by the Isle of Man Arts Council and the Sayle Gallery during summer last year.

As with many of his public pieces, it was made with the involvement of children who drew and carved out the shapes of the fish.

’What we have is an eight foot high totemic piece with leaping salmon,’ said Gavin. ’Kids who came to the park all got to draw and carve around a stencil I created, and I decided later on to paint the fish blue. That’s little bit experimental for me, buts it has turned out well.’

’I thought it would stand out very well on a hillside in amongst the trees, particularly when the sun catches it first thing in the morning.’

The piece was made from a length of larch wood, taken from a diseased tree that Gavin felled himself.

’It has quite a nice poetic back story to it, in that the tree had to come down and it’s being used for something useful.’

It stands alongside two other pieces of sculpture in the Villa gardens, the Dragon, created by Simon Capelen and Rainbows, created by Jill Gillings, also created at last year’s Art in The Park.