Shoes at the shore

Drawing inspiration from the seaside, artist Viv Mousdell is creating shoes out of sand on Whitby beach to recall lost generations of holidaymakers.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Jun 2010, 22:21 BST

The sand shoes are then washed away by the tide – causing visitors to reflect on the passage of time and all those who have stood on the sands before them.

The shoes, produced from moulds based on a variety of real shoes, both children's and adults, are part of a display centred around the beach huts at Whitby, commissioned by arts body North Yorkshire Open Studios. There is also a semi-permanent display of the sand shoes, hardened with a touch of cement, on the prom. A local chalet also been used for an exhibit which offers a trip back in time to the Edwardian era.

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Ms Mousdell, 55, said: "I always seem to find odd shoes on the sands. Shoes seem to take on the imprint of the person."

Visitors can watch Ms Mousdell at work, close to the cliff lift, West Cliff, 10.30am-5.30pm today and tomorrow, tides permitting. Picture: Gerard Binks

Related topics:WhitbyEdwardian