Why a new sculpture has appeared in Liverpool and what it means

Residents strolling along Liverpool’s River Mersey may have noticed a new sculpture perched on a brick plinth in front of St Nicholas Church on Chapel Street. The half-fish, half-man figure, titled Skalli, sits with legs crossed and hands resting on its knees to echo the river’s lore of movement, exchange, and memory. Patric Rogers, the artist from Liverpool, explains that the work engages with the city’s history of arrivals and departures and invites viewers to question how accurately folklore reflects identity. Skalli won the annual Liverpool Sculpture Prize and will be on display for 12 months.

Rogers describes Skalli as rooted in myth and folklore, a creature whose story tests whether such tales are real. The prize, now in its third year, is managed by Liverpool BID and Liverpool Parish Church, and the winner receives £2,500 alongside public display. The jury included church officials, curators, and critics, among them the former winner. Previous prizes highlighted themes from Ukraine’s conflict to plastic pollution in the Merseyside and Guernsey shores. Organizers say public art enhances storytelling on city streets and expect the reactions of residents and visitors during the 12-month display.