Detail View: SHIMMER: Vulcan

Title: 
Vulcan
Creation Date: 
1989
Image Date: 
1989
Period: 
20th century
Location: 
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Country: 
ENGLAND, UK
Material: 
wood
Display Creator: 
COOPER, Ian
Image ID: 
90-2724
Description: 
Photographed during construction.

Location: Graves Park on a bank opposite the 'Poggy' bench. (A-Z p. 111 6E)

Description: 'Vulcan' holds a bird high in his right hand, the bird's flight indicated as a spiral counterpoised to Vulcan's body. The tree stump is about 20 feet high, the upper portion being carved.

Update [2001]: The carving is in remarkably good condition but the tree trunk beneath is beginning to deteriorate significantly.

Update [2010]: The piece has rotted away.

Commission: Sheffield Recreation Department.

Comment: Artist recalls that the sight of starlings swirling round the statue of Vulcan on the Town Hall, in particular seeing one perch on the thunderbolts, was the inspiration for his piece. Their upward flight seemed conceptually linked to the city undergoing change, and Vulcan's attributes of thunder and fire as well seemed related to both its past and future "It (Vulcan) was an appropriate symbol for the city, for the direction in which it was heading." Because of the height of the piece from the ground the artist worked from scaffolding built up around the tree stump. Cooper speaks of a studio space, 8' x 8', and having to carve from the top down with no way to step back to look at the piece. It was awkward talking to the public whilst trying to carve on a platform 10 feet above their heads. The piece has appeared on a commercial postcard produced by Hedgerow Publishing of Abbeydale Road, as one of their images of Sheffield.

Rights: 
© Sheffield Hallam University
Permissions: 
For educational use only. This image may be used in print or digital materials provided that full acknowledgment is given, expressed as follows: " © < insert details from the 'Rights' field >. Photographed by < insert details from the 'Photographed by' field >."
Photographed by: 
Christine Kay
Creator: 
COOPER, Ian
Creator Role: 
Sculptor.
Culture Gender: 
Male.
Nationality: 
British.
Subject Heading: 
Urban parks -- England -- Sheffield
Subject Heading: 
Public art -- England -- Sheffield
Subject Heading: 
Sculpture trails
Subject Heading: 
Wood-carving
Subject Heading: 
Mythology, Classical, in art.
Subject Heading: 
Tourism -- England -- Sheffield
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