Name of sculptor: Matthew Lane Sanderson
Galvanized by: Joseph Ash Galvanizing
End client: Countryside and L&Q
Finish provided: Hot dip galvanizing
Size and amount of steel: Six tonnes of steel and zinc
Project goals
The owners of a new housing development in Essex – Countryside and L&Q – wanted to include sculptural and functional works of art in the landscape to tell the story of the land’s previous Tudor owner, King Henry VIII, who had a palace and a deer park there. They commissioned renowned sculptor Matthew Lane Sanderson to design and fabricate the installation.
What happened
For the commission at Beaulieu, Sanderson created a spherical sculpture, with an intricate design, that depicts a regal reflection of a stag under a tree, set on a reflected crown base. The installation is called ‘The Crowned Stag’.
Materials and size
The statue is made from six tonnes of steel and zinc and is ten metres high.
Sanderson is well-known to Joseph Ash Galvanizing, as he works in steel and regularly asks us to protect the finished sculptures with a hot dip galvanized finish.
A galvanized coating on steel protects the metal from rust and enables it to be protected from the elements for many years to come.
Outcome
The sculpture was beautifully fabricated, hot dip galvanized and installed at the Beaulieu housing development. It was unveiled in an opening ceremony in September 2017 and Joseph Ash Galvanizing team members were invited to attend.
‘The Crowned Stag’ has a special place in the Beaulieu development as it stands proud at the entrance to the new housing estate/town.
Sanderson said of the sculpture: “This work of art shall forever mark the status of this place both past, present and future. It is a symbol that not only conveys the beauty of natural form, but the hope we all share for balance in all things.”
Next pageName of fabricator: Built by Godbold Blacksmiths Ltd
Galvanized by: Premier Galvanizing Hull
End client: Yorkshire Water and the University of Hull
Finish provided: Hot dip galvanizing
Size and amount of steel: Fin the Fish was fabricated from steel, is 5m long and weighs 700kg.
Project goals
Yorkshire Water and the University of Hull wanted to showcase the growing problem of plastic pollution in our seas using a galvanized steel sculpture. Godbold Blacksmiths Ltd stepped up to the plate to fabricate their vision, and Premier Galvanizing hot dip galvanized the steel.
What happened
Fin the Fish was built to act as a receptacle for used plastic. As part of the ‘Do your bit’ campaign the sculpture encourages people to recycle plastic, reduce plastic use, clean up the area around the sculpture, and consequently make small efforts to look after the environment.
Original installation
Originally installed at Scarborough’s South Bay in the Summer of 2019, Fin’s early months proved successful. In just eight weeks, the public fed him over 6000 plastic bottles, which Scarborough Council recycled. The sheer number of bottles highlighted just how much plastic is used on a daily basis and encouraged people to think about how widespread plastic pollution is, and how much damage it causes to our marine ecosystem.
Yorkshire Water and the University of Hull hope Fin will have the same effect on the residents of Hull, where he is currently installed. To measure the success, local firm Biffa will record how much plastic is fed to Fin on a weekly basis, emphasising just how much plastic could have instead (possibly) entered the water courses.
Materials and size
Fin the Fish was fabricated from steel, is 5m long and weighs 700kg. To protect it from the elements and prevent it from rusting – especially in harsh coastal environments –Premier Galvanizing Hull hot dip galvanized it for a protective finish.
Andrew Tweddle, Commercial Manager at Premier Galvanizing said: “The environment and sustainability is important to Premier Galvanizing and we try to introduce more innovative and environmentally friendly processes at our plants on a daily basis. Because of this, it was an honour to be asked to protect the steel for Fin the Fish.”
Next pageSculptor: 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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