The Sea Terminal is home to a motorcyclist with a difference during this year’s TT festival – a life size sculpture of a Loaghtan sheep riding a Yamaha 600!
Created by Isle of Man artist Karl Garrett, ‘Loaghtan Racer’ went on display in the Departure Lounge area of the Sea Terminal last week and will be there throughout the summer.
Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney MHK said: ‘It’s a thought provoking piece of art, and it’s fitting that it will be on display in such a public place during the TT festival. It was on show at the Isle of Man Airport last year and proved extremely popular and was quite the talking point! I’m sure it will prove to be as big a hit in the Sea Terminal.’
Karl was inspired by his love of the TT when creating Loaghtan Racer. ‘The TT has always been part of my life,’ he explained. ‘I’ve watched it for more than 35 years from childhood to adulthood and my memories are of hot summers, the smell of leather, the roar of the bikes, the fantastic atmosphere, and I wanted to try and capture all that.
‘The Loaghtan and the TT Races are two of the most symbolic images of the Island. Former racer Barry Wood donated his racing leathers and boots; Barry made his Manx Grand Prix debut in 1988 and competed almost every year until 2006 achieving many successes, and he also rode in the TT from 1998 to 2007, when an accident during practice left him with injuries that ended his racing career.
‘I’d like to thank the Department of Infrastructure for offering Loaghtan Racer a new home during the summer and I hope visitors and locals alike enjoy seeing him up close.’
