A striking community-inspired monument on the Isle of Lewis has won one of the UK’s most prestigious art prizes, the PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture.
na Dorsan, located in South Galson, was announced as this year’s winner at a ceremony in London on Tuesday evening.
The award was presented by PSSA President, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester.
Designed by celebrated Scottish artists Will Maclean and Marian Leven, the monument was the only Scottish finalist on this year’s shortlist and triumphed over entries from London, Leeds, Canterbury and Sheffield.
“We are greatly honoured to have been awarded the PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture,” said Maclean.
“The other four sculptures on the shortlist were of outstanding quality and creativity.
“The Galson community who commissioned us join us in thanking the judges.
“It is important that the visual arts are brought into the public domain, and the PSSA Marsh Awards are at the forefront of this.”
The award recognises outstanding public sculpture and is judged by a panel of artists, historians, conservators and critics.
The Public Statues and Sculpture Association (PSSA) aims to champion the historical, artistic and social context of public monuments across the UK.
Co-chair of the PSSA, Joanna Barnes, praised the work as both beautiful and meaningful.
“na Dorsan is an excellent example of public sculpture, an historic marker, which reflects the travails of the island’s past community, but also looks to the future as a place of meeting and celebration,” she said.
“Situated in a stunningly beautiful location, it is a well-conceived sculpture with exquisitely crafted dry stone walling.”
Unveiled in November 2024, na Dorsan, which means “the doors” in Scottish Gaelic commemorates a century of transformation for the Galson community.
It tells the story of 52 families who were forcibly cleared from their land in 1863 to make way for sheep farming, and who returned in 1924 to reclaim their homes, heritage, and identity.
Commissioned by Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (Galson Estate Trust), the sculpture stands as a tribute to the strength and unity of a community determined to reclaim its future.
“Since being unveiled a year ago, na Dorsan has been a beacon of pride for the people of Galson,” said Jemma MacVicar, Executive Manager of the Trust.
“This award is testament to the meaningful and thought-provoking design Will and Marian came up with.
“It stands proudly alongside other Lewis monuments such as the Iolaire and Sùileachan, and is a place for deep reflection and inspiration.”
The monument was constructed by local drystone waller Chris Barrowman and sits behind the Galson Trust Business Centre.
A companion exhibition exploring the history of Galson is open there Monday to Friday.
