Raised like a figurehead, or a possible muse for the Saint-François district, can be found at the top of a Manoeuvres Building, framed by the light of the sky. Its imperfect contours draw a real creature from the seabed, with mysterious powers, whose skin, dress and hair are a refuge for marine fauna and flora. It also evokes a childish figure, reflecting the joy of living by the sea and reaping its many treasures; like the men and women who’ve brought this district to life for centuries, unloading and managing their finds on their return from the sea.
Made of bronze, the sculpture painted by Klara Kristalova also acts as a weather vane.
“She comes from the sea or returns to it. You can also see the sculpture as a girl moving on the beach, playing and collecting seashells. This pattern is linked to Le Havre and seaside scenes. It reflects the joy of living by the lively seaside. Installed near the port, the sculpture reminds us that the sea is alive and also presents less idyllic aspects. I want the sculpture to have a strong character that brings identity and poetry to the place. »
Klara Kristalova
Born in 1967, Prague (Former-Czechoslovakia)
Lives and works in Norrtäjle (Sweden)