Endangered Species
Commission, 2014
Perth Museum and Art Gallery
Endangered Species was commissioned by the Perth Museum and Art Gallery and exhibited in the ‘Past Present Future’ exhibition in December 2014. It is in the museum’s permanent collection and the commission was part of the Creative Scotland Place Partnership programme.
The two bronze sculpture Endangered Species I and II celebrate the significance of the natural history collections in Perth Museum, whilst also highlighting the sustainability of freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera). Scotland is home to nearly one-third of the world population of freshwater pearl mussels.
An optical lens is set into the top of the sculpture. Looking through the lens, viewers find a map of the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) in Scotland. Besides Tay, the major conservations areas are Mingarry Burn, Ardnamurchan Burns, Moidart, Moriston, Kerry, North Harris, Abhainn Clais An Eas and Allt a ‘Mhuilinn, Borgie, Naver, Oykel, Evelix, Spey, Dee and South Esk.
As part of the project, the artist mentored two art students on public art and bronze casting.
Endangered Species I and II
bronze and optical lens
Endangered Species I
(detail) bronze and optical lens, 28 x 50 x 30 cm
Endangered Species I and II
Bronze sculpture by Fanny Lam Christie (centre) with student work (left) by Kiera Marshall and (right) by Eleanor Paul in ‘Past Present Future’ exhibition, 2014
Endangered Species II
bronze, 60 x 24 x 16 cm
Margaritifera margaritifera
freshwater pearl mussels of the large mollusca collection at Perth Museum
Endangered Species
Fanny Lam Christie pouring bronze at the Scottish Sculpture Workshop
Endangered Species
Bronze being poured into a ceramic shell mould