MUSSELBURGH'S iconic mussel shell sculpture has been awarded a design accolade.

Sculptor Michael Johnson created The Mussel – a stainless steel sculpture standing 12 feet tall which is located at Murdoch Green.

Titled Memory and Reflection, the work represents the history of the town through images depicted on the outer shell and reflects its relationship with the sea and land through the polished mirror inner.

The sculpture received the Musselburgh Conservation Society Design Award 2019.

Finlay Lockie, the conservation society’s patron, presented the accolade to Mr Johnson last Tuesday.

East Lothian Council’s arts service brought together a working group to select and commission an artist to create a new public artwork for Musselburgh.

The group included representatives from Musselburgh Area Partnership, Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council, Musselburgh Conservation Society, people from the community, council officers and elected members.

The sculpture was funded by Tesco Ltd as part of East Lothian Council’s Percent for Art Policy.

Alan Stevens, from Musselburgh Conservation Society, said: “Inaugurated in 1992, Musselburgh Conservation Society’s annual design award was established to encourage good design and sensitive renovation of Musselburgh’s buildings and surroundings.

“It recognises an improvement or contribution to Musselburgh’s built environment that has been made by a new building, a refurbishment or a landscaping scheme.

“The committee review schemes that have been completed within the year and photographs of these are displayed at one of the society’s autumn meetings.

“Members then vote for the one that they think has been the most successful in fulfilling these aims.

“The society’s members voted The Mussel the winner by a substantial majority.”

Mr Johnson commented: “I am very pleased that the mussel sculpture has received this award from the conservation society, especially so because, looking back at previous winners, I can see that this award indicates that the sculpture has become part of the fabric of the town and embraced by the community.

“I am privileged to be involved in this project.”

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council added: “The arts service implements the council’s public art policy.

“The scheme aims to encourage the development of a high-quality environment for people who live and/or work in East Lothian.

“We are delighted that The Mussel has been recognised as a work of outstanding beauty that truly complements the town and its cultural heritage.”

Mr Johnson has been making artworks for public spaces since 1991.

His first commission, for the Duchy of Cornwall, a 25-feet-tall sculptural work at the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, won the Birmingham Design Award and has been featured in many publications.

He has completed more than 180 commissions for both rural and urban sites throughout the UK and Ireland.

Clients range from national institutions, banks and property developers to local authorities, landscape architects, community groups and schools.

In 2014, Mr Johnson was shortlisted for the Marsh Award for excellence in public artworks.