Up, up and away!

A grey inflatable, going up - you can see the legs and two small arms against a blue skyThis is Simon Mckeown watching his 11 metre high inflatable figure go up – he’s seen it up before in Oxford, and seen parts inflate in the factory in which it was made, but he’s never seen it, well, go up before!

We caught up with Simon at the 20:21 Gallery in Scunthorpe where Motion Disabled: Unlimited is until mid August – not just the inflatable, but his motion capture animations, prints and a beautiful model literally created from dust.

Watching the piece go up is surprisingly moving – you can’t help but read things into the movements it makes. He struggles to grow, fighting his way up, but ends strong and proud – defiant in his difference.

A grey inflatable, going up - you can see the legs, torso, arms and head against a blue sky. It looks like it is kneeling

Take a look at the figure, based on actor and performer Mat Fraser – the photos don’t capture the huge size and scale of the piece or the feelings of strength that stirs inside those looking on.the inflatable is now fully up.