Where Can You Snorkel The Underwater Sculpture Garden?

Sculpture Park

The Sculptures

One of our most popular snorkeling sites is an underwater gallery of sculptures in our Molinere Beauséjour Marine Protected Area, that very much reflect Grenada's culture. Fashioned from a variety of media but predominantly from simple substrates including concrete and rebar, they create an ideal substrate, relatively fixed and permanent, on which marine life may develop. They are sympathetically located to enhance the reef, making natural use of its varied topography of craggy gullies and sun-dappled sandy patches.

As artificial reefs, these sculptures are proving highly successful so far in attracting a stunning array of varied marine life. In doing so and attracting visitors, they have indeed fulfilled a role in easing the environmental pressure on other reefs in the locality.

A key aspect to the sculptures' appeal has been the dynamic changes brought about by being exposed to the power of the ocean. Unique natural forces including sea surge, wave action and currents have imposed their own influence and changes on the sculptures.

We have attempted to give you a brief but by no means exhaustive description of the main sculptures below.

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'VICISSITUDES'

A circle of life-size figures cast from local children linked by holding hands. Their transformation by nature, as they become remodeled by the environment and coral growth reflects the changes of growing up thorough a lifetime. The sculpture is located at 5 meters in depth and fashioned predominantly from concrete creating a hard substrate for coral growth.

Definition: a natural change or mutation visible in nature or in human affairs. The children depict the adaptability of children in any environment as the sea embraces them and the children become part of their new environment.

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'THE LOST CORRESPONDENT'

A man working at his desk and typewriter, the desk covered with historical newspaper cuttings including some documenting Grenada's involvement with Cuba. The work draws attention to the changes in how we communicate and depicts the lost correspondent as a relic in today's society. This sculpture is located in 7 metres of water within the protected surrounds of a natural gully in the reef which very much affords the sense of being in an office.

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'Grace Reef'

16 female forms lie across an extensive sandy area within the reef. Exposed to the will of the seas this is a dynamic and evolving sculpture. At times the figures are hidden and at times they are uncovered and indeed rediscovered. The sculptures lie at a depth of 4 meters and are cast in concrete from a Grenadian lady, reflecting her elegant form.

'Sienna'

This elegant sculpture depicts the graceful figure of a young skin diver from a much loved local story. A simple structure, fashioned from interwoven metal strands, she is open to the constant flow of water. Over time her appearance and form has developed with substantial colonizing marine life.

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'TAMCC FACES'

A project which involved students of the local community college, this sculpture sees a series of life-sized faces seemingly molded into the crevice of a large coral boulder. Cheek by cheek, one notices the diversity in ethnicity and facial expressions, heightened by the distinctive variety of colonizing tunicates and algae.

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'The Un-still Life'

This is a seemingly classical still life composition of a vase and bowl of fruit on a table. The sculpture takes on another guise as a focus of ongoing change as it becomes progressively colonized by coral, sponges and marine life.

'Man on a Bike'

A sculpture of life size man cycling along the side of the reef (on a salvaged bicycle).

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'THE AMERINDIAN PETROGLYPHS'

The new installation, 14 sculptures in all, is based on Amerindian art, culture and spiritual worship and is the work of local craftsman Troy Lewis sponsored by local company Grenada Seafaris Powerboat Eco-tours. The sculptures are influenced by the form of the intricate Petroglyphs and ceremonial carvings made by the early Amerindian tribes, some of which may still be discovered in the Duquesne and Pearls regions of Grenada.

Created predominantly from reinforced concrete, one of the largest pieces takes the form of a Zemi (a stone-carved idol believed to have supernatural power) and measures some three feet in height. As fishermen, hunters and early farmers, it is thought the Amerindians created these stone carvings to represent their belief in many gods controlling the sun and moon as well as plant and animal life. This particular Zemi has three points; one pointing to the sky where Yaya, the Creator, resides; one pointing to the underworld and Hupa, the spirit of the dead; and the third to the world of the living and their spirit Goiz.

'The Silent Cry'

The work of local Sculptor Rene Froehlich, assisted by local craftsman Jefferson Thomas (know as Buju of Grenville), created at his roadside studio in Westerhall. This powerful piece, the 1st of a series of 7, captures the feel of the great trees of the Grenadian rainforest with a representation of a sinuous organic root system and the impression of a human form within. The design's concept was to 'encapsulate the peace, tranquility and weightlessness of the underwater environment. A place where you can be still and enjoy the grace and movement of the water, leaving all of life's threats and problems at the surface. Should you wish to, take a silent cry where no-one will hear'.

DIVING

Grenada and Carriacou are an all-year-round Scuba Diving destination offering over 50 incredible sites for divers at all levels and ages. The world's first Underwater Sculpture Park, stunning wrecks and beautiful reefs are just a short boat trip from the island's golden sandy beaches. Take the plunge with us.

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