Monster Chetwynd

Two giant, brightly coloured salamanders have taken up residence on the edge of Payers Park. Created by artist Monster Chetwynd, they invite us into a world where nature, magic and play come together.

Salamanders are incredible creatures. They shed their skin and can even grow back lost limbs. To Chetwynd, they feel part-real, part-magical – like animals from a fairytale. Her sculptures celebrate their ability to survive, adapt and transform.

These temporary artworks are a preview of a bigger project. In 2026, Bouverie Square will become a new public space with a permanent playground designed by the artist. This is part of Folkestone’s ‘A Brighter Future’ project.

Chetwynd was inspired by 19th-century illustrator Jean Grandville, who gave animals human traits in his humorous drawings. In her playground, the salamanders take on human poses, holding swings, slides and climbing frames.

She often works with overlooked animals – bats, moths, slugs – giving them starring roles in lively performances. For the Triennial’s opening, she will team up with a local primary school for a live show.

Monster Chetwynd reminds us that play helps us understand the world. Her salamanders offer more than fun – they invite us to dream, imagine and build a future filled with care, creativity and joy.

^{Photo by Thierry Bal}

Monster Chetwynd is a British artist known for playful, anarchic performances that bring together homemade costumes, pop culture references and collective energy. Working across performance, film, installation, collage and painting, Chetwynd’s practice embraces a DIY aesthetic and a spirit of improvisation.

Describing the work as “impatiently made”, Chetwynd often reuses everyday materials to create sets and costumes that are inventive, accessible and quick to adapt. Influences range from Bertolt Brecht to Bugsy Malone, blending folk spectacle with surrealist humour and community participation.

Nominated for the Turner prize in 2012, Chetwynd has exhibited widely around the world. Recent solo projects include Art Basel Encounters Hong Kong (2025), Moderna Museet Malmo (2024), Belvedere Museum, Vienna (2023) and Migros Museum, Zurich (2022). Chetwynd was born in London in 1973 and now lives and works in Zurich.

With additional support from UK Government