Final fundraising push to raise £10,000 for a permanent tribute to the Southsea dinosaur

A PIECE of public art to commemorate 10 years since a dinosaur ruled over Southsea Common is in the final stages of fundraising.
A visualisation of the bronze statue to be created. Picture by Studio MorrisonA visualisation of the bronze statue to be created. Picture by Studio Morrison
A visualisation of the bronze statue to be created. Picture by Studio Morrison

Portsmouth’s contemporary art gallery Aspex is just one final Ultrasaurus-sized step away from reaching its fundraising target to commission a lasting bronze tribute to the Luna Park artwork which appeared in 2010.

Aspex’s crowdfunding campaign to ‘Bring Back The Southsea Dinosaur’ has received pledges from members of the public for more than 25 per cent of its £10,000 target.

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This generosity unlocked £5,000 of match funding from Portsmouth City Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy, generated from developers undertaking building projects in the city, which has pushed the total closer to the target which must be reached by Sunday.

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Artists Heather and Ivan Morison propose to develop a bronze scale replica of Luna Park, as well as a digital archive of memories and photographs to experience the dinosaur through augmented reality.

Joanne Bushnell, director of Aspex, said: ‘If the people of Portsmouth want their own history to take pride of place on Southsea Common for future generations to enjoy, they have an opportunity through crowdfunder to commission the public art they want to see.

‘I love the idea of people being able to stroll along the seafront and tell their kids, grandchildren, family and friends “I helped commission that artwork for my city”.’

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Aspex’s crowdfunder campaign is the first stage of ambitious fundraising plan to realise this tribute to Luna Park, and the gallery is committed to raising a further £25,000 from other sources.

Councillor Steve Pitt, cabinet member for culture, leisure and economic development, said: ‘Our visual arts community has come into its own during Covid-19, giving us all something to be able to smile about, in much the same way that the Luna Park dinosaur did during the economic crisis 10 years ago.

‘It is fantastic that we can revisit those amazing memories and if everyone gets on board, make sure we have a permanent reminder of the Ultrasaurus.’

Aspex has already secured significant public support from almost 100 people, from as little as £5 to hundreds.

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Visit crowdfunder.co.uk/southsea-dinosaur to make a donation or a pledge for one of a range of rewards.

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