The ‘Liquidity’ sculpture was created by Simon Packard and erected on Ferry Point, Brentford in 2002. It is made of stainless steel, six metres high and nine metres long. It is three waves, on their side, of shining steel with engraved shoals of fish weaving across the flow. The cuts go right through the metal, so that light shines through from within like a lantern.
The sculpture was commissioned by the developers (Rialto and Fairview) of the new Ferry Quay flats, but has caused many objections by residents who say that it blocked the view of the river and encouraged antisocial behaviour.
Simon Packard also sculpted and installed another of his sculptures 'Totem' a six metre tower located next to the Ferry Quays marina. Like 'Liquidity' it has fish carved into the stainless steel surface, which has been electro-polished, making it very shiny.
Simon Packard is an artist and sculptor who produces intricate engravings on steel sculptures and also on woodcuts producing prints as seen on his current Black Four project. There is an excellent series of photographs documenting Simon Packard at work.
Simon Packard best describes what he is trying to achieve with his sculptures, in this Ruskin Mill article when he is referring to his sculptures in the Lakes at Ruskin Mill: “....the marriage of sculpture and location where darkness is not polluted by urban light. In the Horsley valley, the stainless steel sculptures punctuate the darkness that rests gently over the water, framed on either side by woodland. Beautiful during the day, they come to life at night as the bespoke lighting reveals their cut patterning.”
