A NEW major public artwork is set to be unveiled in Brighton.

The sculpture, entitled Waves of Compassion, will be unveiled in Norfolk Square Gardens on Western Road at 2pm on Friday, August 27.

The piece of art, created by Steve Geliot, is formed from the three original Old Steine dolphins, which were designed by Amon Henry Wilds as part of the 1846 Victoria Fountain.

In the 1990s, the original dolphins, which appear on the city’s coat of arms, were found to be structurally unsafe.

New castings were made for the Old Steine, and the originals were stored away – until now.

The Argus: A new major public art piece is set to be unveiled in Brighton A new major public art piece is set to be unveiled in Brighton

Sculptor Steve Geliot said he was inspired by the story behind the historic dolphins.

“I was intrigued to discover that the dolphins were actually based on the great fish in the Jonah and the Whale story, illustrated in an old Dutch painting by Pieter Lastman,” he said.

“A key theme in Jonah’s story is compassion, the stepping back from judgement and showing of mercy.

“It seemed to me that compassion as a theme, and the image of the wave, had great resonance and relevance to all of us in the face of what we have all been experiencing in this last year.

“I wanted to explore four seasons of compassion, to reflect how the work of the wonderful Norfolk Square gardeners is something which goes on all year round through each of the seasons.”

The Argus: A new major public art piece is set to be unveiled in Brighton. Credit: Alex Bamford A new major public art piece is set to be unveiled in Brighton. Credit: Alex Bamford

In his new art piece, the dolphins support a wave of water with their tails, on which will be one of four symbolic vessels, which will include a container ship losing its load, an ancient coracle with a mysterious cargo, a fishing trawler and a life raft.

Donations through a recent crowdfunding campaign will be used to line the piazza area either side of the sculpture with large sturdy containers filled with green plants.

At the top of the square, a new flowerbed will also be planted.

Norfolk Square Group’s Keith Hipwood said: “It’s incredibly exciting for our community to see this major work of art, with deep roots in the history and culture of Brighton and created by such a respected sculptor as Steve Geliot, coming to Norfolk Square Gardens.

“Waves of Compassion will be a jewel in Brighton’s crown, and we are proud to host this significant landmark for the city.”