A SERIES of globes will be dotted around Colchester for the rest of the year as part of a unique art installation which has been described as ‘a real coup’ for the city.

Three different globes have been placed around the city – one in Lion Walk, one in Colchester Castle, and one in Hollytrees Museum – and will remain in situ for the next six months in an alternative depiction of space and perspective.

The installations have come courtesy of Will Teather, a Norwich based artist who visited Colchester in his early days whilst writing for an eastern region arts magazine called Green Pebble.

Gazette: Intriguing – the globes are meant to be a reflection of its surroundings, but with certain twistsIntriguing – the globes are meant to be a reflection of its surroundings, but with certain twists (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Having been placed around Colchester on Monday, the globes depict scaled down versions of their surroundings – but their reflections are not all that they seem, with plenty of surprises hidden in plain sight.

Mr Teather, who was applying the finishing touches to the plinths on Monday, said the globes take as long as three months each to create.

He said: “When developing the original idea of the globes I wanted to find somewhere different to take realist painting; a new adventure.

“Each globe contains a few surprises on closer inspection which I think will add further interest for viewers as they compare them to their surroundings.

“I hope the city of Colchester enjoys the installations.”

Supported by Arts Council England, Colchester Museums, and Colchester Council, the globes will be on display until January 18.

Michelle Burrows, Colchester Council’s portfolio holder for leisure, culture and heritage, described the globes’ exhibition in Colchester as ‘a real coup’ for the city and its arts scene.

Gazette: Surprises – artist Will Teather said there's a 'Where's Wally' feel to the globesSurprises – artist Will Teather said there's a 'Where's Wally' feel to the globes (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

She said: “Will Teather’s globes have been exhibited both in the UK and internationally, but this is the first time the artist’s works will have been seen in Colchester, a real coup for the city.

“Each globe takes months of painstaking work to complete, and there is something quite magical about the way he creates a sense of 'other worldliness' in his work.

“We are honoured Will has chosen Colchester for his next installations.

“The globes represent yet another event in our Year of Celebration calendar, and we are in for a real treat.”