Edinburgh’s mystery paper sculptor returns to help new music school bid
Scotland’s mystery paper sculptor has created her first new work for two years – to support a music school’s bid to take over one of Edinburgh’s most prominent landmarks.
The unnamed artist, who started sending intricate sculptures to cultural organisations across the city seven years ago, has thrown her weight behind the bid by St Mary’s Music School to relocate to the Royal High School on Calton Hill.
Her latest work, which will go on public display this week, depicts a musician on stage surrounded by flying musical notes. It features an excerpt from JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel featuring Professor Dumbledore, which reads: “Ah music,’ he said, wiping his eyes. ‘A magic beyond all we do here’.”
The artist, whose identity is thought to be known by only a handful of people in the city, had previously pledged that a a 6 ft tall sculpture of a child hugging a tree, gifted to the Edinburgh International Book Festival site, was her final work. Earlier recipients included the Scottish Poetry Library, the Filmhouse cinema , the National Museum and the National Library.
However she has decided to follow in the footsteps of the likes of violinist Nicola Benedetti, composer James Macmillan and author Alexander Mccall Smith in backing the relocation bid.
The school has won planning permission to turn the old Royal High School into its new home, but its plans rely on developers behind a luxury hotel project pulling the plug on a long-term lease agreement with the city council.
A public inquiry is about to get under way into the latest hotel scheme, which was rejected by councillors.
In a note accompanying the sculpture, which will go on display at St Cecilia’s Hall in the Old Town, the artist said: “What makes a place, in this case a city, this city, special? The question of what we do with our buildings has to be key. It is no secret that I think the arts matter, the buildings as well as the contents.
“The old Royal High School was designed and built with enlightenment and education in mind, with a hope for the future. As St Mary’s Music School, that legacy would continue. In the heart of the city, up on the hill, a centre of musical excellence would speak of the importance of music and music education to every child’s life.”
Headteacher Dr Kenneth Taylor, who unveiled the sculpture with head boy Max Carsley, said: “Everyone at St Mary’s is delighted the anonymous sculptor has gifted us with an exquisite sculpture of a cellist and given her pledge of support for our proposed move.”