Description:
Height 7 metres; length 6 metres. Two cast bronze figures supported on heavy
oak timber trestles and beams, with mild steel curve element.
Sculpture set on concrete bases on landscaped island in water of former dock. The theme is based on the activities of the specialist dockers in this former timber importing point.
Commission Title:
Deal Porters
Sculptor:
Philip Bews
Production Period:
August 1989 - July 1990
Site:
Canada Water, Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe, London. Landscaped margin of the
former Canada Dock
Commissioned By:
London Docklands Development Corporation, through the Area Landscape
Architect in conjunction with Gibberd Landscape Design, London
Commissioning Process:
Selected from a shortlist of five artists after submission of drawings and
maquettes.
Production Method:
Philip Bews created two constructed wood figures for bronze casting by
Meridian Fine Art Company, Peckham, London. Phil constructed oak trestles
and beams from selected English Oak heartwood supplied by Henry Venables,
Stafford. Steel curve fabricated by Hunt and Parker, Widnes, Cheshire. Sculpture elements transported and assembled at the site by the artist with
assistant, using hired 50 ton crane and driver supplied by Grayston White
and Sparrow.
Consultant Structural Engineer:
Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners, Reading