Govan Milestone

Category: Contemporary Public Art

11. Govan Milestone, Govan Road.

This large sculpture was made by Helen Denerly in 1994. It was commissioned by Govan Housing Association, and stands on the corner of Govan Road right outside the entrance to the Kvaerner Shipyard gates. The large curving "claws" are made of polished stainless steel, which retains its finish despite bad weather. The birds on top resemble cormorants, which can often be seen around the River Clyde. Govan Housing Association say of the sculpture:

"The milestone should reflect the hopes and aspirations of Govan's community, the lives and concerns and above all the sense of humour of the people who live in the area."

The birds are meant to represent the community of Govan, while the curving claws represent a sense of balance in our lives.

These sculptured birds are made of welded bolts, chain-links and cables, which would often be found around the workshops of the Shipyard. These materials relate closely to the history and industry of Govan. You can see how the chains have been used to form the curves of the bird's neck, while the strands of cable have been unwound to suggest the tufts of the bird's feathers.