Special Projects – Outdoor Monuments - Adelaide, South Australia
Artlab's program for the conservation of outdoor sculpture and monuments continues to grow, creating a significant expansion in activities for Joanna Barr, Artlab's specialist sculpture conservator, which began with the treatment of the poet laureate of North Terrace, the famous Scotsman Robbie Burns.
Robbie Burns....
The treatment of Robbie Burns was part of a major initiative undertaken by the Adelaide City Council to preserve the City's outstanding collection of public monuments. Hear Joanna talking about this treatment more>>
Matthew Flinders....
Next "patient" was the fine bronze of Captain Matthew Flinders on North Terrace.
According to Joanna, ‘Matthew Flinders was a real gentleman. He responded so well to his treatment and never complained. It's always exciting to discover the sculptural detail; the artist's intent, of an outdoor piece that has been disfigured by weathering and pollution. With the addition of a protective wax coating such effects will be minimised in the future.'
Colonel William Light....
Artlab's outdoor sculpture program then shifted from North Terrace to Montifeore Hill to work on Colonel William Light, a bronze of the famous surveyor who drew-up the first town plan of Adelaide in February 1837.
After Light we moved back down the hill to stabilize what is perhaps Adelaide's most beautiful outdoor work – the Waikerie limestone sculpture in the Pioneer Womens' Memorial Garden.'
Pioneer Womens' Memorial Garden....
Queen Victoria....
The statue of Queen Victoria in Adelaide's Victoria Square was lifted from her pedestal for the first time in 100 years to undergo a makeover.
Adelaide's Lord Mayor, Michael Harbison, rated it money well spent."It's quite a big process to get all of the corrosion off the statue and to cover it with a coating of protective wax but it will look an absolutely magnificent bronze when it's restored."
Watch this space for a montage of images of the statue's treatment...Click on the images for some soothing background music...!*
The finished work awaiting reseating on its plinth, reflects on Adelaide's autumnal beauty....
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Robbie Burns pre-treatment
