A BRONZE statue of Pan, the horny Greek god of fertility and hunting, is turning a few heads at the Italian club in Fremantle.

Built by Palmyra sculptor Vittorio Ulinovich, the flute-playing Greek deity is mending fishing nets donated by local sardine fishermen and is on loan to the club for the next month.

Club president Fred Calginari says Pan has been a talking point among members: “Some love it, some hate it. Most of those who hate it hate the horns.”

Christians have associated Pan’s horns and features with images of Satan. Pan, which come from the word meaning “to pasture”, is the god of shepherds and flocks, hunting, nature and rustic music. He also likes to hang with nymphs and has the legs and horns of a goat.

Mr Ulinovich, one of 16 monumental masons in WA, says the statue he built with fellow artist Lenn John has been a work in progress for 13 years.

“If Pan stood up, he would be 3m high,” he told the Herald. “I was told someone was on their knees praying to it.”

Mr Ulinovich’s works also include a pacing horse at Richmond raceway; dinosaurs on Carrington Street; and dolphins in Rockingham.

by CARMELO AMALFI