A new artist sculpture has been placed in St Lawrence Undercliff this week as a celebration and ode to the annual Round The Island Race.
High above the cliffs in St Lawrence, Undercliff – the sculpture has been installed just in time for the Round the Island Race this Saturday (11th July), and ahead of the 100-year celebration of Tally Ho competing and winning the Fastnet race in 1927.
The kinetic sculpture, which is also a fully-functioning weather vane, pivots in the wind and is inspired by the famous Albert Strange-designed yacht, Tally Ho.
Overlooking the English Channel from Far Out Retreat, the Island-made sculpture was designed by Alex Williams and depicts the yacht whose extraordinary story has been followed by sailing enthusiasts.
Artist Alex Williams had a residence at Ventnor Botanic Gardens in 2016 and regularly donates his works to auctions held by the Dementia UK Admiral Nurses. His elegant model of the famous yacht was made by Rob Dyer of RP Fabrication in Ryde before being finished by Pete Jarvie of Ryde Paint & Body; creating a sculpture that is both a work of art and a fully functioning weathervane.
The idea for its creation came from Far Out Retreat’s Jill Lee, who wanted to own a boat sculpture work of art, inspired by her stunning sea views and the beautiful boats sailing past, far below her lofty clifftop retreat.
Far Out Retreats, Jill Lee said:
“Every day I watch yachts passing by, and I’ve always been mesmerised by the sight of their white sails against the turquoise sea.
“I wanted to capture that feeling in a piece of art that belongs here, and moves with the prevailing winds.”
Jill turned to Bembridge based artist Alex Williams, a former keen sailor, to bring her vision to life.
Alex chose Tally Ho because of its remarkable rescue journey and its eventual arrival in Cowes, the yacht was built in 1910 the celebrated gaff-rigged vessel became a legend after winning the 1927 Fastnet Race and faced adversity and wreckage before being rebuilt.
Nearly a century later, Tally Ho found a new lease of life when boatbuilder Leo Goolden bought her for just one dollar, and spent seven painstaking years restoring her. Today Tally Ho is once again in full sail and expected to compete in next year’s Fastnet Race at the end of Cowes Week, one hundred years after she won that coveted prize in 1927. Her new owner is expected to visit the Isle of Wight this summer.
Alex said:
“The story really struck a chord with me,”
“As someone who loves sailing, Tally Ho represents resilience, craftsmanship and the belief that something people thought was beyond saving can come back stronger than ever.”
