Pisces Volantes (Flying Fish)

Sculpture details

Artist: Alan Williams
Year: 2018
Commission / type: Private commission
Dimensions: H 80 × W 120 × D 10 cm
Display / installation: Wall mounted
Current location / status: Current location unknown
Price / value: £4,800

Pisces Volantes (Flying Fish) metal sculpture by Alan Williams

Face details of the Pisces Volantes ii Flying Fish metal sculpture, made from reclaimed metals created by Alan Williams Metal Artist

Wing tip details of the Pisces Volantes ii Flying Fish metal sculpture, made from reclaimed metals created by Alan Williams Metal Artist

Fin details of the Pisces Volantes ii Flying Fish metal sculpture, made from reclaimed metals created by Alan Williams Metal Artist

Wing details of the Pisces Volantes ii Flying Fish metal sculpture, made from reclaimed metals created by Alan Williams Metal Artist

About the work

Pisces Volantes — literally ‘flying fish’ — grew from Alan’s longstanding interest in a steampunk visual language and memories of imagined underwater worlds such as Captain Nemo and Stingray. A 2018 private commission gave him the opportunity to realise a piece he had wanted to make for some time.

The client supplied an antique glass railway lantern and asked for it to be incorporated as the eye. The lantern remains a visual element rather than a functioning light.

Materials and construction

Made from retired tools, clutches, mechanical salvage, forged sheet steel, motorbike and bicycle gears and chain. The eye is the client-supplied antique glass railway lantern, and the tail was made from a pair of garden shears.