Sculptor: Andy Scott
Galvanized by: Joseph Ash Telford
End client: Muse Developments and Aviva Investors
Finish provided: Hot dip galvanizing
Size and amount of steel: 2.2 tonnes
Project goals
Marischal Square is a new £107 million development at the east end of Union Street in the heart of Aberdeen. The development partners for Marischal Square commissioned Andy Scott, to make a centrepiece for the buildings, to be inspired by the leopard symbols on Aberdeen City Council’s historic coat of arms.
What happened
Scott works in steel and bronze, combining figurative and equine themes with contemporary techniques to create stunning landmark artworks in a range of locations across the world.
Once Scott had come up with a design, it took him over a year in his studio to fabricate the sculpture. The artwork contains thousands of steel fragments, all individually welded together to create the form of the leopard.
Once the sculpture – known as ‘Poised’ – was built, Scott sent it to Joseph Ash Galvanizing to protect the steel with a galvanized coating.
Hot dip galvanizing is important for a sculpture such as this, as the zinc coating will protect the steel for many years to come from rust. It also provides a beautiful finish to the metal.
Joseph Ash Telford was the best choice for treating the steel as the plant has one of the widest galvanizing baths in the UK. This was an important factor as the sculpture is so large and weighs in at 2.2 tonnes.
Materials and size
‘Poised’ stands five metres tall, weighs just over two tonnes, and sits proudly atop a ten-metre-high steel column.
Scott said: “I hope it brings a real presence and sense of drama to the atrium space of Marischal Square.”
Outcome
Aberdeen City Council City Centre Masterplan Lead Councillor Marie Boulton said: “At the outset of the Marischal Square project, we identified that public art would play a vital role in attracting both business and visitors to the prestigious new development, so it’s fantastic not only we have this art, but it’s also an amazing sculpture by Andy Scott.
“Andy’s work around Scotland is so well known and so it’s brilliant that his first major work in Aberdeen is here at Marischal Square and will be open to the public.
“We look forward to this contemporary new leopard in Aberdeen being enjoyed by residents and visitors in our beautiful city.”
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