An eight-foot walking sculpture spewing soft toys out of its belly is just one of this year’s creations by Solent university fine art students – and it’s coming to a city centre square near you soon.

Mandy Smith came up with the idea when her 12-year-old daughter suddenly decided she was too old her favourite childhood toys.

Now Mandy, 45, from Dibden Purlieu is showing her work as part of a group show with other Solent art students.

Describing the sculpture as “bonkers” Mandy said the artwork represents the sadness of seeing her child grow up and move on, as well as the “commodity fetish” of today’s society. She said: “People just seem to have so much ‘stuff’ so it’s about that as well.”

Taking over the city centre’s new cultural quarter with four giant shipping containers for five days in April ‘Uncontained’ will showcase artwork by nearly 30 second year Solent university students.

A camera obscura has been built by Lynsey Carter in one of the containers, and passersby will be able to pop in and have a look.

Tina Nicholls will unveil ten months’ worth of beachcombing along the shores of the Isle of Wight. Gullu Kandrou’s work will explore what love means and Andrew Jones will highlight homelessness with his collaboration with the charity Society of St James.

The show opens on April 1 and runs until April 5th. It will be open every day from 12-6.