Katy's work, titled Saltways, celebrates the salt trade in Worcestershire that dates back more than 2,000 years. In May, Katy travelled by boat from Gloucester Docks to Droitwich, carrying her sculpture. The sculpture, a pavilion structure, was then filled with salt from Bolivia, Turkey and South Africa, among others, as well as that which is locally produced at Churchfields Saltworks.
As part of Salt Fest, Katy will also be in nearby Vines Park with a special salt boat cinema, on board heritage working boat Bramble, where she will be showing a film of the journeys made as part of Saltways. The film will be shown every half an hour between 12noon-4pm.
Katy will be gifting Saltways to the town of Droitwich. It will be available to view in Churchfields Farm, Salwarpe, from Monday, 10 September following the culmination of the Salt Fest.
Katy's work was produced as part of The Ring an arts programme that celebrates the region's canals and rivers. The project has seen a series of new commissions created by local and internationally celebrated artists in response to the 21 miles of waterways encircling Droitwich and Worcester, namely the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, the Droitwich Canals and the River Severn.
Katy, says: "I've really enjoyed working with the residents of Droitwich and the fantastic canal boat crews to make this project happen. The final event is a celebration of the project with a film and a souvenir map, but I'm pleased to say the sculpture will be staying in the local area as a legacy of the project as well, thanks to Churchfields Farm where they produce Droitwich Salt."
Cathy Mager, artistic director of The Ring, adds: "Back in May we were absolutely delighted to see the salt pavilion and its associated events arrive in Droitwich after over a year of exceptional research by the artist. Saltways shines a light on the important story of the town's international salt trade and how this heritage continues to inspire local salt entrepreneurs. It will be fascinating to see it again as part of Salt Fest, along with Katy's film of her journey."
