"The Big Fish" by John Kindness
Owner: Laganside Corporation Location: Donegall Quay Title: ‘The Big Fish’ Artist: John Kindness Material: Printed Ceramic Mosaic Size: 10 metres Funded by: Laganside and the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Background: This 10 metre (32ft) Salmon made a big splash in Belfast in 1999. The work was commissioned to celebrate the regeneration of the River Lagan. The site is a significant landmark as it is the location of the confluence of the River Farset with the River Lagan (Belfast is named after the River Farset). The outer ‘skin’ of the fish is a cladding of ceramic tiles decorated with texts and images relating to the history of Belfast. Material from Tudor times to present day newspaper headlines are included along with contributions from Belfast school children (including a soldier and an ‘Ulster Fry’). The Ulster Museum provided the primary source of historic images, while local schools/day centres located along the line of the River Farset were approached to provide drawings for the fish. Images were provided by Glenwood Primary School, St Comgalls and Evrton Day Centres. The ‘Bigfish’ also contains a time capsule storing information/images/poetry on the City. Artists Details: Well-known for his humorous and quirky visual commentaries and use of unconventional materials, John Kindness is one of Northern Ireland’s best known artists, particularly in relation to the work he has produced for public spaces including ‘Big Fish’ at Donegall Quay in Belfast (1999) and ‘Waterfall of Souvenirs’ at the Ulsterbus Station in Glengall Street, Belfast (1991). He has had solo exhibitions in the Ulster Museum, Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin, Art in General, New York and Third Eye Centre, Glasgow. His work has been is included in many private and public collections including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the AIB Bank |
