A 25ft high sculpture of fish on a roundabout in Erith has been shortlisted for one of the country’s most prestigious art awards.

‘The Erith Fish’ been shortlisted for the Rouse Kent Public Art Award 2007, which is given each year by Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd, Kent County Council and Arts Council England, South East.

Now in its 14th year, the Rouse Kent Public Art Award carries a total prize of £20,000, and will include a new category (currently in development) for the best vision proposal for a work of public art planned for a new housing development.

Created by Gary Drostle and commissioned by Bexley Council, ‘The Erith Fish’ is a sculpture of three intertwined fish rising up in a column and coated with brightly patterned glass mosaic.

The sculpture, which is on the roundabout junction of Bexley Road and Iron Age Way, marks the changes that are happening within the regeneration project in a joyful and dramatic way. The sculpture aims at combining a sense of the towns past through the use of the old town coat of arms (three fish) with a hopeful view of the future with the realisation of the Thames’s key role in Erith’s future.

Other shortlisted pieces for the award are ‘The Baobab Tree’ at Lullingstone Castle, ‘Breath Mirror’ in Sevenoaks and “A Score for a Hole in the Ground” in King’s Wood, Challock.

The award’s judging panel was chaired by leading art expert Richard Cork - who recently appeared on ‘The Private Life of a Christmas Masterpiece’ about Van Eyck’s painting ‘The Annunciation’ on BBC2 and has written numerous art books – and included representatives from Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd; Kent County Council; Arts Council England South as well as artists and architects.

The winner will be announced at a VIP dinner at the Kings Hill Golf Club on 23rd May.

is really encouraging to see people being so adventurous in the creation of public art and businesses devoting time and resources to fostering the arts.”