Sculpture: the Seas of She, 2006
Material: Bronze
Dimensions/height: 2.82 m (no plinth)
Location: Boulevard Paulus Loot
Owner: Kunstcircus Foundation on loan from the Municipality of Zandvoort
Sculptor: Marlène Sjerps
Image of the sea
The sculpture ‘the Seas of She’ by artist Mark Sjerps had to wait a long time for a placement in the sea strip on the Boulevard Paulus Loot. In June 2004, the bronze statue was already offered to the Municipality on loan and accepted, after which the Board arranged the necessary permits. When the location at beach pavilion Take Five was designated, the municipality received three objections from local residents. The location for the statue was moved more towards the south. But here too, Zandvoort residents protested because they thought the statue would ‘whistle’ through the openings. Supported by a list of signatures and a protest letter, everything was eventually settled amicably and alderman G. Toonen (art and culture) unveiled the statue. The stylized female figure stands on high waders looking out into the distance from the sea strip. Perhaps it is the start of a sculpture route along the boulevard?
Marlene Sjerps
In the late eighties, Marlène Sjerps started developing her own style as an autodidact. In 1993, she had had enough of ‘having to produce’ for galleries that wanted to exhibit her work. She took a seven-year break and then received a commission for a large bronze ‘a gift of water’ from a private individual in Zandvoort. This commission marked the start of a new style in which she omits forms (there is always only one arm in his sculptures). Through the ties on her mother’s side, Sjerps is connected to Zandvoort and lives and works in the seaside resort.