MERMAID

2024 Sculpture

Victoria Motika & Briony Eyre

Photographs, 35mm Kodak Gold

Created in response to the myth of the mermaid that lurks in the Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. The mermaid resides in her own pool (named ‘Mermaid Pool’, Thorncliffe) and lures highwaymen and lone travellers to their death.

Attempting to install our mermaid on a rocky ridge near the site (at 3am), we were caught in the act by a sceptic farmer. Despite this, the sculpture lives on in these images that were taken during the building process. The mermaid appears as a sort of martyr, reflecting the value of such mythic beings in local culture and lore.

Mermaid Pool, Thorncliffe, UK.