De-Havilland's Magical Moth - Beverley, UK
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dtrebilc
N 53° 50.404 W 000° 25.300
30U E 669637 N 5968810
This colourful moth named 'De-Havilland's Magical Moth' commemorates Amy Johnson, a pioneering aviator who set many records and flew Gipsy Moth Planes designed by Geoffrey de Havilland.
Waymark Code: WM172AM
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/24/2022
Views: 0
"Amy Johnson CBE (born 1 July 1903 – disappeared 5 January 1941) was a pioneering English pilot who was the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia.
Flying solo or with her husband, Jim Mollison, she set many long-distance records during the 1930s. She flew in the Second World War as a part of the Air Transport Auxiliary and disappeared during a ferry flight. The cause of her death has been a subject of discussion over many years."
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A Moth For Amy Public Art Project
As part of the celebrations for Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017 it was decided to celebrate the life of Amy Johnson who was born in Hull.
Because of her links with Gipsy Moth planes it was decided that moth sculptures would be the basis of the project.
Some moths were bought directly by sponsors whilst the remaining 59 moths were displayed around the city of Hull from 1 July 2016 until 31 March 2017.
After being on display the moths were auctioned for charity, raising over £80,000.
This particular moth was number 50 of the group of moths and was sponsored by Wykeland Property Developers who built Flemingate Retail and office park. It is on the wall of Armstrong House whose name harks back to the well-known Beverley company Armstrong Shock Absorbers, which had a factory in Eastgate in the town from 1917 to 1981, employing hundreds of workers.
About the Design:
Geoffrey de Havilland designed Amy Johnson’s aeroplanes, and was a moth collector extraordinaire. His fabulous moths inspired artist Liz Dorton, pupils and their teachers from Beverley St Nicholas Primary School.
Together they explored De Havilland’s aircraft, his beloved moths and elements of art deco design – popular during Amy’s flying years. Using art deco shapes like zig zags; arches; concentric circles; stripes; diamonds and repetitions, the children morphed their favourite moths into deco-inspired delights.
Their Magical Moth designs were transferred onto the big moth sculpture – the children brought them to life with colour and shining glints of gold and silver.
About the Artist:
Liz Dorton is a Hull-based artist and puppeteer focusing on sculpture, giant lanterns, theatrical costume and visual arts theatre. Her works draws from local history, issues and events. Liz loves to adapt and transform natural and waste materials, and likes anything that can be made to move! She has over 30 years experience of facilitating training, workshops and performance with people of all ages in the community and Health and Education services."
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