The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell
The Praying Shell

© Anthony Padgett. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Alan Greenwell / Art UK

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Notes

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The sculpture merges a kneeling figure in prayer and a cockle shell. It combines themes from nature with the spiritual heritage of Morecambe Bay to create a potent symbol of reflection, renewal and environmental integration. It looks over the site at which 23 Chinese cockle pickers died in 2004. The symbol of the cockle shell, which opens as the tide comes in, is used to reflect on humanity's openness.
Title

The Praying Shell

Date

2013

Medium

limestone

Measurements

H 100 x W (?) x D (?) cm

Accession number

LA5_AG_S035

Acquisition method

gift from Anthony Padgett, the sculptor

Work type

Statue

Owner

Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council

Custodian

Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council

Work status

extant

Access

at all times

Inscription description

plates on the approach and beneath the sculpture front: PRAYING SHELL / 1994-2013 / Anthony Padgett / www.PrayingShell.co.uk; plate at the rear of the sculpture reads: Praying Shell / (message in Mandarin) / PLEASE / DO NOT CLIMB

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Located at

just beyond Red Bank Farm, Bolton-le-Sands

LA5 8LP

Overlooking Morecambe Bay, on the south side of Red Bank Farm. From the shore, the sculpture is visible above a small grassy incline.