Piper Alpha Memorial, sited in the Piper Alpha Memorial Garden, Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen.
Artist
Sue Jane Taylor
(Dingwall, Scotland, born 1960)
AssociatedAssociated with
Piper Alpha
Date1991
Object NameMemorial
MediumBronze with gilt and Corrennie granite plinth
ClassificationsSculptures
Dimensions213.36cm
AcquisitionOwned by Aberdeen City Council under the curatorial care of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums. Erected with the money raised by the families of the Piper Alpha victims.
Copyright© Sue Jane Taylor (2018)
LocationOn Display - Hazlehead Park
Object numberABDCC001076
About MeThe memorial to the men killed in the Piper Alpha disaster on 6 July 1988 is sited in the Queen Mother's Rose Garden in Hazlehead Park and was unveiled by her in 1991. It comprises three seperate standing bronze figures, their backs to one another, representing offshore oil workers. The central figure facing north represents a mature character. In his left hand he holds a pool of oil sculpted in the shape of an unwinding spiral form. This black shape in his palm flows into the gold leaf. His right hand points down to the ground, indicating the source of crude oil. The carved motif on his helmet, a fish and sea birds design, symbolises the environment. The figure facing west represents a roustabout drill-deck worker, showing pushing and pulling movements. On his right sleeve is a celtic tree of life motif, the leaves gilt. The figure facing east wears a survival suit and on his left sleeve is a sea eagle spread winged with a gilt head, native to the North seas. To the rear is a small stone plinth with a cross behind which has an urn of ashes interred within the plinth.
The Corrennie granite plinth was supplied and cut by John Fyfe Ltd.
More About Me
A powerful and moving tribute to the lives lost in this terrible tragedy.
William Grant Stevenson
