Commissioned for the 1989 Festival of Sculpture, Festival Boat is a celebration of culture and place. Resting on the riverbank, its sweeping form draws on the ceremonial boats of the artist’s native Nigeria, reimagined in a British landscape. It speaks of journeys – across water, between cultures, and through time.
About the Artist: Sokari Douglas Camp (b. 1958, Buguma, Nigeria) is an internationally recognised sculptor whose work explores movement, clothing, and cultural identity. She has exhibited worldwide and created major public artworks in both the UK and Nigeria.
This sculpture is one of several artworks that make up the Thorpe Meadows Sculpture Trail, part of the Nene Park Sculpture Collection. Set alongside the River Nene and Peterborough Rowing Lake, the trail invites visitors to discover contemporary sculptures in a beautiful riverside setting. Whether you’re walking, cycling, or picnicking nearby, each piece adds an extra layer of creativity to the landscape, making the journey as rewarding as the destination.