The Carter and His Horse

Today I had reason to be in North Ayrshire and stopped for lunch in Irvine Harbour Arts Centre. This piece by Fife sculptor David Annand stood outside on the quayside and was a tribute to the years before the dredging of the River Clyde when carters plied their trade here.

There were many collieries nearby in the late 18th century and small carts were used to transport coal to the harbour. Later, when trade routes to America opened up, Irvine began handling imports of tobacco and cotton, and exports of various Scottish produce. Indeed, in the late 18th century Irvine was the second most important Scottish port in terms of export tonnage. However the whole harbour area became derelict as the upper Clyde became navigable. The harbour's regeneration started some years ago and is still a work in progress. This beautiful sculpture is part of this process of linking the past with a brighter future.

However, it was dull and overcast today and the bronze figures of horse and man were also grey. So I have given this picture various 'treatments' to bring out the rapturous joy and vitality that shines through in Annand's work. Carters' horses were well cared for as their well-being was critical to their masters' employment, and the bond between man and beast was palpable. Click here to see more of Annand's work. He modelled the horse on a Clydesdale called Kiki Dee which was lovely to work with. However he only had an old photograph of the 'Captain of the Carters' which he found more difficult being only two dimensional. However I think he has made an excellent job of him.