A giant sculpture of a nude woman looks set to put Dundee on the artistic map.

Sculptor David Mach is proposing to create the provocative and eye-catching figure at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in the city’s Perth Road.

The 90-foot high sculpture—which is unnamed but has had working titles of Bio Woman and Bio Colossus— would stand hand on hip in Hawkhill Place between the art college and the neighbouring Matthew building.

Mr Mach—a visiting professor of inspiration and discovery at Dundee University—believes the nude would make a powerful statement about Dundee’s renaissance as a modern and culturally aware city.

The sculpture—which could take up to a year to create—is still only a proposal at this stage but it is understood the idea has met with enthusiasm among university executives gearing up for the institution’s 40th anniversary next year.

The piece would be made up of a tubular steel frame and would be adorned with thousands of images depicting life and work in Dundee and the university.

The city centre campus is in the process of a £200 million redevelopment masterplanned by leading architect Sir Terry Farrell.

Mr Mach said, “I am hoping to create a 70 to 90-foot tall female figure leaning against the front of the Crawford Building (the art college).”

The artist—who was trained at Duncan of Jordanstone and has been involved in several large-scale public art installations —is aware such a sizeable and striking piece is likely to cause controversy but said the figure could become a new symbol of the city.

He said, “You always get people being a bit wary at the beginning but it is my experience that when you go out there and build stuff people love what you are doing.

“Dundee Art College and the university are really great places and have got a very good reputation that is well deserved.

“This is really an advert for it and Dundee.

“A piece like this would actually bring people to the town—that is always a good thing.”

West End Community Council chairperson Wendy Wrieden was intrigued when told of the plan by The Courier last night.

She said, “I am sure the local community would want to discuss it further and I intend to contact the dean of the faculty of Duncan of Jordanstone to find out more.”

The public can view a scale model of the sculpture and see a visual representation of how it is would in its campus setting at an exhibition at DCA on March 16.