Liverpool trip
Liverpool's waterfront holds some splendid statues. I particularly liked the horse, a work by Judy Boyt, unveiled in 2010. Entitled 'Waiting', it honours the 250 years of working horses in Liverpool. In the heyday of the docks there were many thousands of horses and their carters, hauling goods from dockside to warehouse, warehouse to railway or canal barge and often then on to wherever those goods were destined. During WWII, they ensured the flow of food and fuel through the port. Immensely strong but easy to handle, Liverpool cart horses were considered the best in the land. Of course, motorisation and then containerisation spelled the end for the traditional docks and their workers and horses. Nowadays, ships are loaded and unloaded by cranes in hours, rather than days.
I have a soft spot for working horses. One of my great grandfathers was a blacksmith and supplier of hay and straw for working horses in Sheffield.
The other statue I particularly like in Liverpool is 'Legacy' (2001) by Mark de Graffenreid. It shows a young family migrating from Liverpool to 'the new world', America. Something like nine million people, from all over Europe, are thought to have emigrated through Liverpool, undertaking a brave and pioneering voyage to start a new life. The sculpture was given to the people of Liverpool by the Mormon church.
Hi Jenny - how wonderful those sculptures are ... and great reminders of the working animals and workers of past eras ... so much change in little over 150 years. I'll get up to that part of the world sometime ... take care - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteBoth sculptures really stand out, catching the essence of the moment.
ReplyDeleteI like them both, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteImportant Liverpool imports were caribbean cane sugar to Tate and Lyle, wool from Australia and South America, and grain. To save time, port dues and multiple handling the ships would often anchor off in the Mersey. They discharged overside directly into the Leeds and Liverpool boats which lay alongside. WWII war material of all kinds from the USA brought in by the Atlantic convoys were also moved along the Leeds and Liverpool and stored ready for the D-day invasion.
ReplyDeleteThe horse is a real working horse. Thick, heavy legged. Most of the horses that find their way to statues are slimmer, made for riding. This guy is made for working.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the man in the second photo looks like Putin.