VIDEO: Six tonnes of Sunday Post newspapers help form Fife sculpture

Six tonnes of Sunday Post newspapers are forming part of a large sculpture being constructed in Fife this week.

World-renowned artist David Mach is putting together his latest work, Odyssey, at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Gallery, with the public given unique access to watch him at work.

The project is a return to a form of sculpture that had featured extensively in Mach’s career over the last 35 years, from Barcelona to Cincinnati, and follows a similar event in Galway in 2018 that proved hugely popular for the artist.

Using newspapers, shipping containers and other everyday objects, the Methil-born artist admits he still draws much of his inspiration from the sights, sounds and coastline of his native Fife, despite demands from around the world for his art.

Day 3 & the artistic magic continues @ONatDCLG See @David_Mach creating his new installation Odyssey from tonnes of @Sunday_Post, shipping containers, wood and buoys. Great video by ONFife volunteer @AlastairJames8. @EventScotNews @welcometofife #machattack #davidmach #YCW2020 pic.twitter.com/28tdq7Dgbz

— ON Fife Press (@ONFifePress) October 10, 2019

Speaking to our sister title The Courier, he said: “I don’t stray too far from home, I love the colour of Fife, the ruggedness of its coastline, it’s always been there within my work.

“Most gallery space is very respectable, the way it has been built the way it conforms, that makes me want to bombard rather than exhibit.

“I’m anything but minimalist, I hate that. I call myself a baroque fascist, I want to fill the space with all sorts of stuff.”

The public is being given access to view Mach’s creativity as the installation takes shape over the course of the week.

“I want to create something violent and what better than using everyday items such as newspapers and shipping containers.

“It’s material every one of us can relate to, we know it so it helps the public to make that connection.”

David said that once in the gallery space, rather than have a set agenda, the sculpture develops organically from there.

“It takes on a life of its own, being in there working you see the possibles, hopefully that will turn into something dynamic, something that will move those coming to view it.”

Lesley Botten, interpretation team leader with ONFife Cultural Trust, said: “Staging Odyssey has been a logistical challenge and taken months of planning but we’ve really enjoyed working on this ambitious installation.

“We are now very excited to see it come together and I’m looking forward to seeing how our visitors respond.”

The public can view the live installation daily at Carnegie Galleries, Abbott Street, Dunfermline until Friday. The finished sculpture will be on show until February 2.

The project is supported by DC Thomson Media, The Sunday Post, Fife Group and Briggs Marine.