Pictured here is a sculpture which can be found on the beach at Adelburgh, a small town on Suffolk coast. Known as The Scallop, it was created by the artist Maggi Hambling and divides opinion locally, some loving it, others wanting it removed.
The image has been sitting on a memory card ever since I took it a couple of weeks ago. I’ve seen some stunning pictures taken of The Scallop, the brown of the stainless-steel structure contrasting with the blue of the sky and so on.
I’ve periodically tried editing the image to replicate what I’ve seen elsewhere. I just wasn’t happy with the results and so I flipped it to black and white to see what happened.
This was the result. Although it’s not the image I wanted, it represents the moment quite well. It was overcast, it was a little cold but not overly-so, a little windy, but not overly-so. It was just a bit….grey!
The quote comes from the opera Peter Grimes, penned by local composer Benjamin Britten. It says:
“I hear those voices that will not be drowned.”
It is something of an oddity on the beach, but it does fit in with the landscape quite well. Compared to the Sizewell nuclear power plants that are a short distance away, I’d say it is very photogenic!
What do you think, do such works of art add to the landscape or detract from it? Leave a comment below with your opinion.
I have added this picture to the #MySundayPhoto linky hosted by the brilliant Photalife blog. Please click on the badge below to visit the linky and see photography from a host of other bloggers.
25 thoughts on “The Scallop at Adleburgh”
I remember the controversy when that was installed. I didn’t (and still don’t) see what all the fuss is about personally. I’ve never actually seen it captured in black and white. I think the words standout more. I hope you had a lovely time in Suffolk 🙂 #MySundayPhoto
Thanks Tara, yes, seems to be a lot of fuss about nothing. Lovely part of the world and I think this added to it.
Why do people want it removed? I guess it changes the landscape from what it was? I think it’s a very nice piece but I tend to love art installations. They always get me pondering.
Yes, inspiring and thought provoking! I guess some owrks of art are better than others but this one doesn’t ruin the landscape I don’t think.
I love it! I always like to see art in different places, but there will always be people who object. I have no idea why though!
What would the world be like without NIMBYs hey? I’m something of a fan and glad you like it too.
I hate grey days, they don’t lend well to nice photos and neither do cloudless skies which is a big problem I encounter in the middle east.
My first instinct when I saw the sculpture was, “that seems an odd place for a stand alone sculpture.” Perhaps it fits better in person.
Yeah, I think you’d probably like it better if you saw it in situ.
Great picture of a stunning artwork. Always a mystery to me why some people get so upset about being there. #MySundayPhoto
I really like it. I think it’s a great work of art that adds to the landscape.
A real statement piece, I love how you have shown it in black and white.
Thanks Fiona, odd how these subjects odten do look better with the colour stripped from them isn’t it?
I like it, it looks completely unique. Works very well in B&W too
Thank you for linking up
Thanks Darren. It is very unique and apparently very rare not to find kids crawling all over it!
Great shot. I actually really like it. I bet people would miss it if it wasn’t there! 😀 #sundayphoto
You know I think you are right. I bet it would be missed if it was taken away.
I had no idea about this – but I think it is totally beautiful and really adds something to the landscape. I think yo have done it justice in black and white too.
Thanks Victoria. I do love a good B&W photo so glad you thimk it works.
I’ve been here and I loved it but then I love public art. As said the view of the power station mean this is not in any way ruining a place of wilderness #MySundayPhoto
In fact it’s just been pointed out to me that a wind farm will shortly be built in the distance so the view is going to change forever, and not in a good way!
It’s our local beach and we don’t mind it. It divided opinion at first, not because it’s ugly, but for some people it spoils a seamless view of the sea. But the coming wind turbines will alter that view forever, so I recommend that anyone visit and photograph it for posterity.
Oh wow, I had forgotten ab out the wind turbines. Yes, glad I got the photos when I did!
I love art work like this. I think its brilliant. Im shocked people want to get it removed. I love that youve captured it in.black and white! #mysundayphoto
Thanks Martyn. I think it works quite well in B&W.
I quite like it – it’s very striking, especially in black and white.