'The legend grew up that so long as the tower remained intact, the fish would sleep soundly at night and the birds would nest without fear from errant squirrels,' says Arturio.
Apparently, in later years it was used as an early warning system against marauding brigands and fleets of pilot whales. It was also a rallying point for people in the area. Finally it became a thriving trading centre.
The ancient tower is long gone and Arturio says this mythology has been compiled using the few fragments of information that remain. Or it could just be a great big fishy tale.
Arturio explains: 'I think the Spinnaker Tower is a beautiful structure and I think it's a crying shame that it's being treated as incidental. It should become an iconic structure. It's a beacon that symbolises what this city is trying to do.'
Arturio, a figurative artist, came to Portsmouth from Gibraltar 20 years ago. He said he has devoted his latest exhibition to the Spinnaker Tower because he thought the structure 'deserved to have a history', and says his work is an interpretation of that.
'I'm very passionate about it. It's fascinating. It's more than just functional. Everybody sees it in a different way and it changes depending on the angle you view it from. Whichever way you look at it, the Spinnaker Tower is something to be proud of.'
Tower is at the Third Floor arts centre, Central Library, Guildhall Square, until January 30. For further information, call (023) 9283 4184.