City set to welcome Great Gorillas

Exeter is preparing to welcome ten life-sized painted gorilla sculptures.

They will arrive by boat on Thursday 25 July. To see the spectacle you’ll need to be at Exeter Quay for 10.30am.

Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “This is a celebration to herald the arrival of the Great Gorillas in Exeter. Each gorilla is a unique work of art – I don’t want to give too much away, but there are some truly exceptional pieces coming to the city.

“The gorillas will be all over Exeter – in shopping centres, city streets and open spaces. They are about conservation, public art and community. They are also a thank you from Paignton Zoo to the people of Exeter for all their support over the last 90 years.”

Among the dignitaries greeting the gorillas will be Councillor Rosie Denham, City Centre Manager John Harvey and Victoria Hatfield from the Heart of Devon.

The figures will be on location around the city from 3rd August until October 13th. There is a free a map and free a mobile app which people can use to spot all the models.

The Great Gorillas Project, celebrating Paignton Zoo’s 90th birthday, sees life-sized model gorillas sponsored by businesses and community groups, painted in original designs by specially commissioned artists and displayed in public, creating a unique art trail around Exeter and the English Riviera. For further information go to: www.greatgorillas.org.uk.