Creation of Riverbug

Artist Ben Gates has been commissioned to create a vehicle to help with the river clean ups but it won't be a car or a bicycle but made from recyled materials as a bespoke, quirky, functional artwork. He is currently making the "Riverbug" in his studio in Carlisle and it will be unveiled at the next river clean to be announced.

Ben describes himself as a sculptor-based sound artist.

" I have been working for eight years predominately as a community
artist/musician in a wide range of collaborative projects. This work
primarily involves facilitating groups to develop found objects and
recycled materials into functional and interactive sound sculptures.
Recently the focus of this work has been on developing mechanical
sound machines and incorporating them into live performance. I have
much experience of facilitating creative project work with people of
different backgrounds, ages and abilities. This includes work with young
offenders, young people and adults with learning disabilities, pre-school
children and college students."