Late 20th Century Sculpture in the City of London

Late 20th Century
Sculpture
in the City of London
The City is remarkably rich in the number and diversity
of its sculptures which are available to the public. This is
particularly true of its late 20th century sculptures which
are the subject of this publication.
The Corporation has a long tradition of providing,
maintaining and encouraging publicly accessible statues,
fountains and memorials. Today, more than ever, the
importance of 'public art' is recognised in terms of its
contribution to the enhancement of the City's appearance
and as a valuable source of enjoyment for the City's
residents and all those who work in, or visit the City.
1 Lamb Statue
As a local authority the Corporation is conscious of its
role and responsibility in enabling the provision of
sculptures by building developers and owners, and
welcomes proposals for sculptures that will enhance the
public realm.
4 Man with pipe
Public Art
'. John Wilkes
This leaflet is the first in a series of publications on
statues, fountains, sculptural decoration and other forms
of public art in the City of London.
5 Echo
The City's free-standing late 20th century sculptures that
can be enjoyed by the general public form a particularly
significant group. The diversity of styles and scale of
sculptures, as well as the range of materials and artists
that are represented, offers an abundant aesthetic
resource. This is not only of great value in itself but also
complements the City's buildings and public spaces,
making an important contribution to the appearance and
visual character of the City.
3 George and the serpent
The Percent for Art initiative promoted by the Arts
Council of Great Britain is welcomed by the Corporation
and has done much to encourage the use of public art.
The quality of the City's built environment benefits from
a long tradition of the use of sculptures and sculptural
decoration on buildings.
6 Seven ages of man
Recent research undertaken by the University of
Westminster, which was part-funded by the Corporation
of London, has borne out the increasing awareness of the
importance of public art. The study, entitled Public Art
in Private Places, looked at the contribution made by the
property industry in its commissioning, purchasing,
promotion and sponsorship of art works in the public
realm. Surveys showed that developers and building
occupiers recognised that the contribution which public art
made to their building's image was significant. A survey
of urban planning authorities revealed that 70% of those
that responded have policies to promote public art.
7 Paternoster
The recently adopted Unitary Development Plan for the
City of London includes planning policies which are
designed to support existing and to encourage the
provision of new works of art.
11 Firemen's War Memorial
Corporation Policies
The Unitary Development Plan states that "the
Corporation is aware of the 'percent for art' initiative
promoted by the Arts Council and welcomes its aim to
achieve a greater contribution to the arts. The Corporation
will also encourage the provision of new works of art as
part of development schemes, taking into account the
contribution made by any such works to the appearance of
the scheme and the amenities of the area. The Corporation
will encourage the introduction of works of art at an early
stage to ensure they are integrated into the overall concept
of the design."
"The Corporation considers that art can contribute
significantly to the quality of the environment. It will
therefore encourage the incorporation of art and artworks
into the urban scene, in appropriate locations. To this end
it is important that the integration of art and artworks into
developments and the local environment is considered at
an early stage in their design."
12 Icarus
Unitary Development Plan Policies
9 John Wesley
REC10
To encourage the retention of existing
art, cultural and entertainment
facilities and normally to require
their replacement on redevelopment.
REC11
To promote art and cultural and
entertainment
facilities
and
to
encourage further provision by other
organisations.
ENV13
10 Minotaur
13 Young Lovers
To encourage the provision of works
of art which enhance the City
townscape.
The supporting text in the Unitary Development Plan for
policy ENV 13 states that "The Corporation considers that
art can contribute significantly to the quality of the
environment. It will therefore encourage the incorporation
of art and artworks into the urban scene in appropriate
locations. To this end it is important that the integration
of art and artworks into developments and the local
environment is considered at an early stage in their
design."
14 The Leopard
Sculptures and their settings
The City's open spaces, gardens and churchyards
traditionally have provided locations for sculpture. Since
1945 the Corporation has increased and improved the
amount of public open space for public enjoyment. Both
existing and new spaces have been used as settings for
new sculpture. Examples of these include Michael
Ayrton's Minotaur in Postman's Park and Icarus in Old
Change Court, Young Lovers by Georg Erlich in Festival
Gardens and Elizabeth Frink's Paternoster in Paternoster
Square.
15 Dolphins
16 Series of silver metal pipes
There are also examples where sculpture has been used to
dramatic effect to enhance the setting of a new building,
such as The Leopard by Jonathan Kenworthy at 20
Cannon Street and Richard Kindersley's Seven Ages of
Man at Baynard House. The Minster Court development
at Mincing Lane provided the opportunity to commission
the three bronze horses by Althea Wynne which stand at
the head of the steps to the central entrance courtyard.
More recently the City has seen the redevelopment of
much larger sites such as at Broadgate and Fleet Place.
The scale of development has allowed the creation of a
complex of new buildings set within new public spaces.
The careful design of these spaces has been complemented
and enhanced by the introduction of sculpture. At
Broadgate the sculptures are an integral part of the public
amenities which include landscaping, seating, shops,
restaurants and an ice rink.
19 Captain John Smith
20 Glass Fountain
Sculptures at night
17 Carmargue Horses
With increasingly early and late working times, more and
more people are about in the darker hours. Lighting,
other than street lamps, is a welcome introduction in terms
of safety as well as amenity. The night time scene in the
City is important to residents, late workers and visitors to
the Barbican Arts Centre and other attractions.
21 Bevond Tomorrow
It is recognised that floodlighting of buildings adds
significantly to the visual interest and attractiveness of the
City. The illumination of sculptures is welcomed and can
play an important role. However, it requires particular
care and, as with buildings, the effect of lighting can
modify radically their appearance and character.
18 Unity
The City Changes Project, launched by the Lord Mayor
in 1993, with the aim to enhance the visual quality of the
City, includes a scheme for the illumination of a number
of sculptures that are in the City's ownership. It is hoped
that this will encourage private owners to consider lighting
their own sculptures thereby increasing the public's
awareness and enjoyment of these important features by
night as well during the day.
22 Ritual
27 Fulcrum
Location
Name / Description
Artist
Date
1
Temple Gardens
Lamb Statue
Margaret Wrighton
1971
2
Fetter Lane / New Fetter Lane
3
2 Dorset Rise
George and the serpent
Michael Sandle
4
Fleet Place
Man with pipe
Bruce McClean
1993
5
Fleet Place
Echo
Stephen Cox
1993
6
Queen Victoria Street, Baynard Seven ages of man
House
Richard Kindersley
1980
7
Paternoster Square
Paternoster
Elizabeth Frink
1975
8
St Paul's Churchyard
Becket
E. Bainbridge
Copnall
1973
9
St Paul's Churchyard
JohnWesley
J. Adams Acton
1991
Postman's Park
Minotaur
Michael Ayrton
1973
Firemen's War Memorial
John W. Mills
1 991
10
11
28 Bellerophon taming Pegasus
29 Ganapathi and Davi
30 Hare and Bell
Old Change Court
JohnWilkes
James Butler RA
1988
12
Old Change Court
Icarus
Michael Ayrton
1973
13
Cannon Street, Festival
Gardens
Young Lovers
Georg Erlich
1973
14
20 Cannon Street
The Leopard
Jonathan Kenworthy
1985
15
Barbican, Ben Jonson Place
Dolphins
16
Barbican
Series of silver metal pipes
Mayer
1990
17
Barbican
Carmargue Horses
Enzo Plazzotta
1969
18
125 London Wall
Unity
Ivan Klapez
1992
19
Bow Churchyard
Captain John Smith
Charles Renick
1960
20
Guildhall Piazza
Glass Fountain
Alien David
1969
21
Guildhall Piazza
Beyond Tomorrow
KarinJonzen
22
Basinghall Street,
Woolgate House
Ritual
Antanas Brazdys
23
London Wall
The Gardener
24
Cornhill
25
.
.
/
1972
.
,
1969
KarinJonzen
1972
James Henry Greathead
James Butler RA
1993
Royal Exchange Buildings
Paul Julius Renter
M. Black
1976
26
Broadgate, 1 Finsbury Avenue
Rush Hour
George Segal
1983-87
27
Broadgate
Fulcrum
Richard Serra
28
Broadgate
Bellerophon taming Pegasus
Jacques Lipchitz
29
Broadgate
Ganapathi and Davi
Stephen Cox
30
Broadgate
Hare and Bell
Barry Flanagan
.
1966
31
Broadgate, Exchange Square
Family Group
Xavier Corbero
32
Broadgate, Exchange Square
Broadgate Venus
Fernando Botero
1989
33
Broadgate, Bishopsgate
Woman's Head
Bruce McClean
1993
34
Cutlers Gardens
The Cnihtengild
Denys Mitchell
1990
35
Mincing Lane, Minster Court
Three bronze horses
Althea Wynne
1991
36
Seething Lane Gardens
Samuel Pepys
KarinJonzen
1983
37
Tower Place,
Bowring Building
The Hammer Thrower
John Robinson
1973
38
Goodman' s Yard
Vortex
'
23 The Gardener
The Corporation of London is the local authority for the
financial and commercial heart of Britain, the City of
London. It is committed to maintaining and enhancing
the status of the Business City as one of the world's three
leading financial centres through the policies it pursues
and the high standard of services it provides.
Among local authorities the Corporation is unique; not
only is it the oldest in the country, combining its ancient
traditions and ceremonial functions with the role of a
modern and efficient authority, but it operates on a nonparty political basis, providing a host of services and
facilities for the benefit of the nation.
24 James Henry Greathead
25 Paul Julius Renter
The Corporation of London: a unique authority for a
unique City.
Acknowledgements
This publication was produced by the Urban Design &
Conservation Section
Photography by Victor Callister
PSB 5341 3/94 2M
Further information
Urban Design & Conservation Section
Department of Planning
Tel: 071-332 1716
26 Rush Hour
Peter Wynne Rees BSc, BArch, BTP, RIBA, FRTPI
City Planning Officer
P.O. Box 270
Guildhall
London EC2P 2EJ
April 1994