Ilfracombe Flickr Search

I am looking at images on Flickr for inspiration on composition and framing before my first trip to Ilfracombe. I am mostly focusing on natural landscapes, as one of Ilfracombe's biggest tourist destinations are the beaches.


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BBC News - 21/08/2013

Damien Hirst's Verity: Ilfracombe to build on statue 'success'

Available here.

The statue has been loaned to Ilfracombe for 20 years

Continue reading the main story

Related Stories

• Verity signs anger shopkeepers
• Damien Hirst's bronze unveiledWatch
• Moment of truth for Hirst statue

Damien Hirst's statue Verity has been hailed a success by councillors in Ilfracombe, now bidding for funding to regenerate the rest of the town.

The giant bronze statue of a pregnant woman split opinions in the town, but councillors said it has had a "tremendous effect".

Now final negotiations are under way to buy a land train that would take people around the north Devon town.

North Devon Council has successfully bid for £165,000 from a European fund.

The council said visitor numbers shot up when Verity was installed in October last year.

Regenerate the town

"It's had a tremendous effect," Mike Edmunds, district councillor for Ilfracombe East, said.

"It's attracted an awful lot of people that wouldn't have come to Ilfracombe, who have come down just to look at Verity because of the Damien Hirst influence.

"We can only look at it and say what a wonderful opportunity we have had here, it's beyond belief really the number that have seen here."

But Mr Edmunds said the main benefit of Verity had been in the harbour area and the council now wanted to concentrate on regenerating the high street.

Councillor Viv Gale, who has been involved in bidding for the funds, said: "It is really important that Ilfracombe now builds on Verity, upon it's popularity.

"It has that landmark, it has wonderful landscapes, wonderful walks, it is important that we build on that in every way we can to regenerate this wonderful town."

Part-funding

The Dotto land train, which will have an engine and two carriages, can hold 40 adults or 50 adults and children.

It will pick up and drop off visitors at attractions including the harbour and the swimming pool.

The council will meet next week to discuss part-funding the project.

The money already raised, from the EU Leader 4 Programme, which is used for regeneration projects, must be used by the end of November.

If the scheme is approved, the train could be made and delivered to Ilfracombe by mid-November.

The Guardian - 17/10/2012

Damien Hirst's Verity statue: 'It's a bit Hannibal Lecter'

Residents of Ilfracombe in North Devon offer their forthright views on the controversial artist's latest creation

Available here.

Damien Hirst's Verity … 'A bit rude … a bit weird.' Photograph: Getty Images

On a windswept mid-October day the harbourside at Ilfracombe is usually the domain of just a few fishermen, dog-walkers and hardy fresh-air freaks.

On Wednesday, it was heaving with people who had come from near and far to gawp, wonder and talk about Damien Hirst's Verity, a 20m-high statue of a naked woman yielding a sword and staring out to sea.

"Impressive," said James Silvesto, who had picked up his nine-year-old son Charlie from the local primary school and whizzed him down to the harbour on his moped. "She's a magnet. She's got a personality that draws you in." Charlie was not so sure. "A bit rude, a bit weird," was his verdict.

There had been scepticism in some quarters ahead of the installation of the statue, with some thinking the exposed womb and other internal workings distasteful. A few of those milling around while workers put the finishing touches to it remained unconvinced.

Engineer Melvyn Robinson said he found it "grotesque". "It's not my cup of tea, I prefer my art a bit more conventional," he said. "It's typical Damien Hirst, a bit Hannibal Lecter-ish. He can't help himself, can he?"

Boatman Paul Barbeary was also unconvinced. "I just think she's in completely the wrong place. What has she got to do with Ilfracombe? A mermaid would be better."

Pensioner Eve Martinson, who was holidaying in Cornwall but had decided to take a spin to north Devon to have a look at Verity. "She's a bit, well, naked for me," said Martinson. "I don't like her nipples very much, a bit too pointy. And those bits and pieces of her inside. You have no choice but to look."

But shopkeepers were delighted at the attention the resort was getting because of Verity. The ice-cream parlours and fish and chips shops were doing good business. Hirst's own restaurant (he also has a home nearby) was, unsurprisingly, full.

"I think the statue is brilliant," said Felicity Cowley, a consultant at the Driftwood art gallery, which had a few Hirsts on the walls. "A midweek day in October is not usually very busy. We've had loads of people in. Whether you like it or not, it's a phenomenon, an attraction."

And most of those who made the pilgrimage to Verity on Wednesday were positive. Tim Brownings, a local tour guide, can see the statue from his front room. "I was a bit worried she'd wreck my view of the sea," he said. "I thinks she enhances it actually. But for me the best thing is that she is getting people talking about art."

People like harbour master Rob Lawson, who was happy to wax lyrical about the merits of Verity: "One half of her is calm, beautiful; the other half is provocative – the human as an animal."

He is delighted the statue, on loan to the town for 20 years, has created a buzz. And if nothing else she will make it easy for visiting yacht captains to find Ilfracombe. "Some people say they find it difficult to see the harbour entrance from out to sea. They won't be able to miss it now."

The Telegraph - 24/05/2013

Damien Hirst proves there’s no justice

By Ruth Dudley Edwards Arts and entertainment Last updated: May 24th, 2013

Available here.

Verity is another nail Hirst has hammered into the coffin of British art

Apparently, quite a lot of those who've visited Damien Hirst’s Verity in the Devon seaside town of Ilfracombe have had a bit of difficulty in making sense of the gigantic bronze, sword-wielding, scales-of-justice bearing, pregnant nude with her innards hanging out, though the brighter will work out that it’s supposed to be something to do with truth and justice. If they have smart phones, a quick check will tell them that it’s an allegory on that theme which is supposed to call to mind a Degas ballerina and the statue of Justice on the Old Bailey.

Hirst is riding to the rescue of the more intellectually or technically challenged by applying to erect an information board. He’s teasing us again by not saying what will be on it, but no doubt it will be shocking enough to earn another round of publicity.

For Ilfracombe, Hirst’s loan of Verity is a mixed blessing. Commercially, it’s a boon. When the visitors have seen enough, they’ll do the town a bit of good by buying ice cream or fish and chips. If they’re prosperous, they might do it and Hirst a lot more good by eating at his seafront restaurant. And soon, they may be able to buy a large range of Hirst products, for he has now bought his fourth Ilfracombe property: the town's art gallery. The Driftwood Gallery currently specialises in the kind of paintings sane people like to look at, but I’d be astounded if it doesn’t become a purveyor of Hirst spots and pill-bottles and other expensive rubbish. He’s presumably hard at work devising 101 ways of making money out of Verity-related knick-knacks.

But sadly, there’s the aesthetic downside of Ilfracombe’s Faustian pact with Hirst, who cunningly has lent (for twenty years) rather than given it Verity. A fear that this money-spinner might be taken away is liable to keep town councillors sweet when it comes to Hirst’s planning applications. Yet for anyone with an eye for beauty or talent, Verity’s an insult. As the art-critic Jonathan Jones put it, the statue is a "monstrosity" that "revives the ugly vacuities of art in the age of the dictators".

Jones was one of those who admired Hirst’s early pretentious nonsense but now feels that the master has let them down. "We will be judged by him. He made modern British art, and he has destroyed it. Don't you understand? This time is going to be remembered as what Hirst is making it, with his bronze statues and hideous daubs – a dark age for British art."

Hirst seems to be a pleasant chap. I listened to him on Desert Island Discs recently, and found him amiable and likeable. It’s hard not to have a grudging respect for the genius this artistically-challenged man showed in harnessing Charles Saatchi’s commercial nous and Sir Nicholas Serota’s intellectual arrogance to make fools of generations of critics, curators and collectors. Since he burst on the scene in the early 1990s, he has seduced the weak-minded British art establishment into assisting him in the destruction of British art. He deserves the credit, inter alia, for propelling the equally talentless Tracey Emin to her present eminence as – God help us all – Professor of Drawing in the Royal Academy.

Nice chap. Shame about the art.

First shoot list

I have booked out a Tascam for this weekend as I will be going to Ilfracombe to record some landscape shots. I will be using my Canon 600D to film, and will be taking two tripods - one for the camera and one for the Tascam. I also have headphones and a windsock for the Tascam, and will be taking my three lenses and memory cards in my camera backpack.

• 
  
• Harbour
• "Verity"
• Capstone
• Capstone beach
• Headland
• Detail on beaches
• Waves
• Stones
• Rockpools
• Tunnels Beaches

Online questionnaire

I have modified my questionnaire and have posted it online using SurveyMonkey.

I have posted a brief explanation and the link to the survey in various Facebook groups about Ilfracombe and Devon in order to start collecting information.

North Devon Gazette - 10/10/2012

Hirst lifts the lid on Verity

Available here.

Damien Hirst. © Anton Corbijn

Tony GussinWednesday, October 10, 2012
11:05 AM

Exclusive interview: Damien Hirst talks about his Ilfracombe statue Verity and his love of North Devon.

"I hope it will excite the locals, although I know everybody won’t love it."

Damien Hirst 

DAMIEN Hirst has spoken of his own excitement and anticipation following the arrival of his Verity sculpture in Ilfracombe.

In an exclusive interview, the artist told the North Devon Gazette of his hopes for the 20.25 metre bronze statue and how much he was looking forward to seeing her in place on Ilfracombe Pier.

“I am really excited and can’t wait to see it in place,” he told the Gazette.

“I’ve lived in Combe Martin for 18 years and love the area. My kids were born in the Barnstaple hospital and I have my own restaurant that I’m proud of in Ilfracombe.

Verity pictured on Ilfracombe Pier ready for final assembly after arriving in the early hours of Monday morning.

“I hope it will excite the locals, although I know everybody won’t love it, but I hope it will bring more tourists to the area and increase business for the local people.”

The much-debated artwork, which depicts a naked pregnant woman holding aloft a sword and clutching the scales of justice, arrived by lorry just after midnight on Monday, almost complete aside from her sword arm and plinth.

She is now safely locked inside a secure compound and awaiting assembly prior to being hoisted into place some time between Sunday and Wednesday, dependent on weather conditions, although the Gazette understands Tuesday morning is likely.

It is then thought a further week will be spent working on the sculpture before it is completed, making it the tallest statue in the UK, 10 inches higher than Anthony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North.

Verity pictured on Ilfracombe Pier ready for final assembly after arriving in the early hours of Monday morning.

Damien Hirst’s first ever major art project in his adopted home of North Devon has taken almost two years of planning and production.

It was after initially talking to harbourmaster Rob Lawson that Mr Hirst said he decided to propose the loan of Verity to the town.

The offer was made to lend her to North Devon Council – upon whose land she will stand – for 20 years, with an option of possibly extending this.

Standing at 20.25 metres – or just under 66 and a half feet – Verity was made in more than 40 individual bronze castings at Pangolin Editions foundry in Gloucestershire. The sculpture is an edition of Hirst’s earlier bronze Virgin Mother created in 2005.

"After looking at the statue of liberty and the justice figure on the old bailey and many others, I came up with Verity."

Damien Hirst 

“I had made the sculpture of the pregnant woman already and it was based on the Degas ballerina, and for Ilfracombe in the harbour, I wanted to take this existing sculpture and change it to make it stand for something important - for truth,” Mr Hirst explained.

“After looking at the statue of liberty and the justice figure on the old bailey and many others, I came up with Verity.”

Since news of the proposal became public, debate has raged across North Devon, many believing the sculpture will provide a huge boost to Ilfracombe and the surrounding area as it puts North Devon the national art map.

Others argued the naked pregnant figure was inappropriate, or even obscene and some objected to the design – featured in other Hirst works – showing skin cut away to reveal musculature, skeleton and her unborn foetus.

Verity pictured on Ilfracombe Pier ready for final assembly after arriving in the early hours of Monday morning.

Mr Hirst continued by describing the assembly process:

“She’ll be arriving onto the pier side in sections where she’ll be worked on by my team, in a compound, lying on her side,” he said.

“She’ll be assembled into one big piece, patinated and then hoisted into her position.

“Then there’s more work to do finishing her off, tidying up the site and sorting the lights out, but I am hoping she will be finished completely by the end of the month.”

Working on the face of Verity at the Pangolin Editions foundry in Gloucestershire. Photographed by Steve Russell © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2012.

The bronze parts were cast in pieces, then worked and reassembled around a one piece steel frame. The sword and upper arm is a single piece of glass fibre reinforced polymer.

The entire piece underwent wind tunnel testing to ensure it was capable of withstanding high winds and sea spray.

Love her or hate her, now people across North Devon are waiting to see what Verity will really look like once she is stood upon the pier gazing out to sea.

“As I said, I know it’s not for everyone, but I really hope that over time it will become accepted by all of the community in Ilfracombe and will benefit the town and surrounding areas,” said Mr Hirst.

"I am really excited and can’t wait to see it in place."

Damien Hirst 

Check out progress on the sculpture’s installation at www.damienhirst.com.

Trip Advisor Reviews - Verity

Here are some reviews of Verity from Trip Advisor. I have highlighted passages that contain opinions or comments I find interesting:

“Love it hate it, you'll be impressed.”

Reviewed 2 February 2014 NEW

The first sight of a baby inside a statue is a shock, in a good way. It is thought-inspiring and draws you to look again and again.

“Amazing”

Reviewed 9 January 2014

Well worth a look, makes you think what an amazing mind Damien Hirst has, it is a very beautiful statue, though very thought provoking. Has and is prooving to be a crowd puller and can only do good for Ilfracombe as an added attraction

“Wonderful”

Reviewed 6 January 2014

We visited Ilfracombe knowing nothing about Verity, so she came as a huge shock. I love the way she has been sited in such a prominent position by the harbour, facing out to sea. The statue is beautiful, interesting, confusing and disturbing, in equal amounts, but something you must see if you visit North Devon.

“Challenging but worth a view”

Reviewed 5 January 2014

From one side the statue looks great and from the other far more challenging with the peeled back skin.. Damien Hirst divides opinion, but the addition of this statue is undoubtedly contributing to the regeneration of ilfracombe. Check out the newly opened art galleries.

“Worth a look”

Reviewed 27 December 2013

Decided on a whim to pop up to Ilfracombe to have a look at this piece of art, we are not particularly big on art, but being fairly local we had heard a lot about it on our local news.

We had a good look round the stature on arrival, but it was getting a bit late, and we were losing the light, so after spending the night nearby we decided to stroll up and have another look before our breakfast the next morning. It was a still morning with a gentle sea fret hanging over the harbour, we were the only souls there, it was very atmospheric, and we felt that the stature really added to that. We had heard a bit of bad press about it, but we failed to see what the problem is, it brings people into the area, and we enjoyed our stay and would recommend it .

“A locals perspective”

Reviewed 25 November 2013

A controversial piece of art work from a world famous artist, one that can only attract visitors to the town. The visitors that come will either hate the statue or love it, either way they are visiting Ilfracombe, a benefit to all who live or have a business in the town. The statue is set within the harbour with the dramatic Hillsborough Fort in the background. Well worth a visit.

“Not sure about it.”

Reviewed 4 November 2013

Went to see this in late September 2013. 

Very overcast sky made the sculpture quite dramatic, and quite sinister when viewed from 
the pier side. A strange concept, and one that we found quite off putting. No doubt a great work in some peoples eyes, but we heard several comments that matched our view of it. 

“Hmmm.....”

Reviewed 1 November 2013

Shock Art....Pretentious nonsense...Hirst gets people talking that's for sure and few sit on the fence. As a piece of art I admire it although it's interesting to speak to the locals about what they think. For a town that is a little 'down on it's luck' VERITY has done one thing which is to draw in tourists who spend money in the shops and cafes which is a good thing....justice may be seen to be done after all.

“Well worth visiting Verity”

Reviewed 16 October 2013

Has to be a beneficial addition to the town of Ifracombe. To see Verity on the harbourside is impressive. Those that agreed to her stay in the town saw the benefits that it could bring. Well done to Damien Hirst for being part of the town today!

“Why the bad press?”

Reviewed 13 October 2013

The statue dominates the harbour in a Colossus of Rhodes stylee. A stunning bronze of immense proportions. A beautiful, heavily pregnant female figure. Anyone who finds it offensive needs to get out more!

“verity”

Reviewed 8 October 2013

In a word.......... Grotesque, but then again art is an abject thing and what suits one does'nt suit all, i would have thought it would be better in a City or stuck at the side of a motorway, like the Angel of the North.

“A mistake”

Reviewed 4 October 2013

This art work is completely out of place. It is out of scale with the quaint harbour. None of the people I met approved of this statue despite its originator.

“Hideous”

Reviewed 27 September 2013

What a complete waste of money this hideous eye sore is just standing there with no apparent
explanation of the meaning of the thing. l am sure the money could have gone to much better
facilities to draw tourists to Ilfracombe. You only have to look at other resorts such as Weston-Super-Mare and Southend to name but a few to see what transformations they have made.
Families want things to do and things they can enjoy of an afternoon not everyone enjoys arcades surely Ilfracombe can do better than having this hideous statue that's going to cost them money for cleaning it and guarding it from graffiti. Still it gives the seagulls somewhere to poo on.
Rant over.

“What a shocker”

Reviewed 24 September 2013

From behing looks really good, but then the front reveals the hideous statue.
looked like one of the puppet characters from a childrens programme back in the 90's about 2 garden trolls.

“OMG”

Reviewed 22 September 2013

Omg how lucky are you to have this in your town. It is so powerful and dramatic and suits the area. It was good to watch the reaction of people who were seeing it for the first time. you lucky locals

“Strange”

Reviewed 22 September 2013

Why Ilfracombe needs a bloody great naked pregnant female waving a sword around, is anyone's business. That said, it drew the crowds and is a talking point. Sort of grows on you

“What's this about”

Reviewed 15 September 2013

This statue has divided the town (speaking to our relations that live there) A lot say it's an ugly site where others say it brings tourism into the town. My view is its spoils the lovely sea front. Could of thought of a better statue to erect.

“Ugly sculpture in the wrong place”

Reviewed 27 August 2013

Something that might look good in a contemporary art gallery in London town just looks out of place - Verity is no Statue of Liberty, welcoming travellers to the shore. It's an odd idea of a statue in the first place - a typical Hirst 'affair' with skin missing and a little too revealing anatomically. The thing doesn't offend me - it is just out of place in this venue.

“sick”

Reviewed 23 August 2013

Another of Hirsts sick jokes I wouldnt have it in my back garden, Ifracombe council cash in and take it too the scrap yard

“wedding photo shoot”

Reviewed 29 October 2012

We could not leave Verity out of the wedding photo's and took a special trip with the official photographer to our daughters wedding. Verity is amazing & will not dissapoint

“A big boost for Ilfracombe”

Reviewed 13 November 2012

The statue is "controversial", but then again most of Mr Hirst's artwork is. The statue is well constructed, but the best thing is that it is putting Ilfracombe back onto the UK tourism map. Hopefully this will inspire more investment from other companies to rejuvenate the town and return Ilfracombe to former glories

“Verity”

Reviewed 5 November 2012

Hmmm - I am still not convinced of this statue's beauty. I felt it was just too 'revealing' Some parents were left speechless when asked various questions by their offspring. I know the chap in the T-shirt shop we visited said that it had increased his footfall. It was unfortunate that the skeleton side of the statue was facing inland, at least if it were facing the other way parents could decide for themselves if they wanted their child saw the innards of a pregnant woman. One major warning - don't follow the AA parking signs for Verity. You will end up parked right at the top of the hill and have a major route march down to the harbour. Just head into town and follow the regular harbour parking signs. I wasn't impressed but I was glad I went, at least I can say that I have seen it with my own eyes.

“What on earth is that!”

Reviewed 27 November 2012

Very impressive as a statue. However I am sure the money would have been better spent tidying up the rest of Illfracombe, parts of which reminds me of the bomb sights of my child hood in Birmingham. Made me feel quite sad as I loved coming here in the late sixties, early seventies.

“Verity: Truth”

Reviewed 17 November 2012

Verity is a wonderful addition to Ilfracombe harbour. An imposing masterpiece that you just can't stop looking at. The power in its presence is awe inspiring. I have 2 children who had nothing but questions to ask, they were fascinated in both the simplicity of the female, the meaning behind the 'justice' side of her and no more than fascination in the anatomical aspect ..... is the baby a boy or girl? asked my daughter. 
Wandering round the harbour, chatting to local retailers who have had nothing but 'business' from its erection and exploring the small aquarium and RNLI station was a pleasure. Definately ignore the yellow direction signs and head straight for the harbour and car park for the best access to Verity. 
I feel Ilfracombe had before 'Verity's' arrival had its day - hopefully Verity will recreate interest in the town, rejuvenate its town folk and attract more visitors to this wonderful corner of North Devon. Well worth a visit.

“Obscene”

Reviewed 16 November 2012 via mobile

It is free but still overpriced. People will flock to see it but I hated it. The town needed a feature but a cut away figure is not to my taste ..... No wonder many curators don't rate what they display.

“Our Verity”

Reviewed 14 December 2012

She's beautiful and she has brought so many visitors to Ilfracombe. We have taken many pics of her can't get all angles in one shot.

“Marmite”

Reviewed 12 December 2012

You either love her or hate her but we love her and Verity has brought her owm magic to Ilfracombe. She really is our Curious Charm

“Boring”

Reviewed 3 March 2013

Not much to look at really, just oh statue. Wasn't my or my groups thing!! Don't know what else that I can say about it,

“EYESORE”

Reviewed 23 March 2013

We were in Ilfracombe last October when this blot on the landscape was erected and our opinion did not change when we visited again a week ago. Damien Hirst should be pickled in formaldehyde and lowered into the harbour to prevent him carrying out any more vandalism. The seagulls have passed (literally) judgment on his efforts.

Damien Hirst is to art what George Osborne is to economics.

We have had to mark this review as a 1 because you do not allow a zero.