Jason deCaires Taylor, renowned for his underwater sculptures, has brought his artistry to the River Stour in Canterbury, Kent, with his latest piece titled Alluvia. This captivating installation, made from recycled glass, LEDs, and marine stainless steel, portrays a woman in a floral dress slumbering beneath the water’s surface. As a piece that embraces Taylor’s passion for environmental conservation, it includes sensors for monitoring the river’s ecosystem and glows from within at night, creating an ethereal presence. Placed on the riverbed, Alluvia replaces a previous installation damaged by dredging and serves as a harmonious tribute to the river’s constant flow and its natural rhythms.
Inspired by Sir John Everett Millais’ famous painting Ophelia, Alluvia references the tragic character from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, who many believe was inspired by a real-life drowning in the River Stour. The sculpture mimics the painting’s delicate imagery, with the woman’s peaceful posture seemingly at one with the water. Taylor notes how the sculpture evolves with the river’s seasonal changes, as light, shadow, reeds, and algae interact with its form. This interplay mirrors the fluid nature of memory and perception, further deepening the connection between art, nature, and history. Located near Westgate Bridge, Alluvia offers visitors a mesmerizing glimpse into both the past and present of the river.
