A new public-art sculpture of a sea snail has been unveiled in a nature reserve.

The Periwinkle Shelter sculpture is located at Earnley Viewpoint at Medmerry Nature Reserve, near Chichester, and is designed to imitate the tiny creature.

It has been designed and created by local artists, Two Circles Design, and is made from Sussex willow. The installation takes inspiration from the unique environment that surrounds it and features a ‘cloud window’ silhouette of a Marsh harrier, a bird of prey.

The sculpture features a ‘cloud window’ silhouette of a Marsh harrier, a bird of prey.The sculpture features a ‘cloud window’ silhouette of a Marsh harrier, a bird of prey. (Image: Chichester District Council) It also reflects the site’s Bronze and Middle Age history, as periwinkles were found in the remains of an ancient medieval fish basket by archaeologists during the creation of the Medmerry Nature Reserve.

This sculpture is designed to complement two public art pieces that were launched earlier this year.

The sculpture is the work of Culture Spark, a creative partnership between Chichester District Council, Chichester Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery. The Culture Spark received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is administered by Chichester District Council.

The periwinkle has panoramic views of the coast The periwinkle has panoramic views of the coast (Image: Coastal JJ) Councillor John Cross, cabinet member for culture, sport and place at Chichester District Council, said: “The inspiration for the Periwinkle Shelter derives from archaeological excavations of the Medmerry site and tells a fascinating tale.

“Evidence was discovered of several circular Bronze Age roundhouses and burial grounds — dating from 1,100 BC — on the site, along with the remains of a medieval wooden ‘kettle’ to funnel and trap fish in a weir at low tide using wickerwork fences.

“This beautiful sculpture is woven from Sussex and Somerset willow and signifies both a glance back to the past and an acknowledgement of this new incarnation for the Medmerry landscape.”

Medmerry Nature Reserve It is man-made and was designed to protect the surrounding villages and towns from flooding. Medmerry Nature Reserve is man-made and was designed to protect the surrounding villages and towns from flooding (Image: Chichester District Council) Medmerry Nature Reserve is one of Europe's largest coastal realignment schemes. It is man-made and was designed to protect the surrounding villages and towns from flooding.

Its creation involved constructing a new 7km flood embankment on higher ground further inland, and transformed 183 hectares into new intertidal habitats for birds and other wildlife.

The project was completed in 2013 by the Environment Agency in partnership with the RSPB funded by Associated British Ports.