Dame Barbara Hepworth Alongside Her Monumental Creation at the Morris Singer Foundry

Celebrating Dame Barbara Hepworth's legacy on her 10th January birthday, the Morris Singer Foundry, established in 1848 and recognized as the world's oldest fine art foundry, proudly highlights its collaboration with the renowned sculptor. In awe of Hepworth's artistic prowess, the foundry cast a striking, large, hollow, and asymmetrical sculpture at its London location. This masterpiece, derived from a plaster original meticulously prepared by Hepworth and her team in her Cornwall studio, captivates viewers with its intricate details.

This photo captures the essence of Dame Barbara Hepworth alongside her monumental creation at the Morris Singer Foundry, a historic institution committed to the fine art of sculpture casting. The collaboration between the sculptor and the world's oldest fine art foundry is a testament to the enduring legacy of both Hepworth's artistic vision and the foundry's dedication to craftsmanship that spans over a century. 

Of particular significance, Hepworth's 'Single Form,' is an awe-inspiring public artwork situated in London's Battersea Park. This sculpture serves as a poignant memorial to Hepworth's friend, the former UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, who tragically lost his life in a 1961 air crash. The Morris Singer Foundry not only brings to life the vision of Dame Barbara Hepworth but also plays a vital role in preserving and showcasing her artistic brilliance. 

You can interact with the sculpture in 3D, VR and AR via this link: Single Form by Dame Barbara Hepworth 

His Majesty King Charles III unveils unique sculptures by artist Tim Crawley, cast at Morris Singer Art Foundry, marking the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

On 14 December 2022, His Majesty King Charles III attended the Palace of Westminster for a visit of thanksgiving and remembrance in honour of The King’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. With this occasion he unveiled a pair of unique bronze sculptures by artist Tim Crawley, cast at Morris Singer Art Foundry, to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

A great privilege for our British foundry and its skilled technicians to work with an artist like Tim Crawley. The gift that has been designed is spectacular, and a fitting tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.

The design features the four heraldic beasts of the UK – the Lion of England, the Unicorn of Scotland, the Dragon of Wales, and the Irish Elk of Northern Ireland.

©UK Parliament/Roger Harris

The gift - a pair of unique bronze sculptures featuring the heraldic beasts of the United Kingdom – will also serve as illuminated beacons, symbolising the guiding light Her Majesty has been to the Nation, and to Parliament, throughout her reign.

 

Commemorating a unique moment in the nation’s history, the Platinum Jubilee gift is situated between two previous gifts to Her Majesty - the Diamond Jubilee window in Westminster Hall and the Silver Jubilee fountain in New Palace Yard.

 

All four countries of the United Kingdom are represented in the work, including the Lion of England, the Unicorn of Scotland, the Dragon of Wales and the Irish Elk of Northern Ireland. Sited in a busy area of the Parliamentary Estate, the sculptures will also offer a practical purpose, illuminating both the throughfare as well as the medieval Westminster Hall.  The lanterns themselves reflect the shape of St Edward’s Crown.

 

The Speaker and Lord Speaker asked Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, who organised The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gift in 2012, to lead on the current Jubilee project, which as in 2012 has been entirely funded by personal donations from members of both Houses and from across the political spectrum - with no expense to the taxpayer. Members of the public will be able to view the gift from the free-to-access areas of the Palace of Westminster.  


Cambridge-based sculptor Tim Crawley was chosen to design the sculptures - working with Hampshire fine art foundry Morris Singer. Taking inspiration from the architecture and heraldic art found within the Palace of Westminster, Crawley studied the stone carvings and masonry in the immediate area, creating pieces that are sympathetic to their environment.  

 

“ “Naturally, I was delighted to work on this prestigious commission – which both celebrates such an important national event and adds something new to this iconic building. Looking back now that it is complete, I recognise the huge privilege of being trusted with the work and have really enjoyed working closely with the Speakers of both Houses and Michael Ellis MP to make it a success.””
— Tim Crawley

Sculptor Tim Crawley (right) with Morris Singer Art Foundry Director John Berelowitz (left).

““Throughout the project, our team have ensured that the moulding, casting and finishing required for this piece was able to progress with ease.

With the gift now unveiled by His Majesty, King Charles III, we are delighted that the Morris Singer Foundry will be forever associated with this historic work – situated in the magnificent Palace of Westminster””
— John Berelowitz

Tim Crawley to create Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Monument in collaboration with Morris Singer Foundry

Master Carver, Tim Crawley, who trained at the Art School from 1979 and was Head of Historic Carving from 2012 to 2020, has been commissioned to create a heraldic sculptural scheme featuring two bronze lamp standards to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

“This is the largest bronze commission I have yet undertaken and I will be working closely with the long-established Morris Singer Foundry.“ says Tim.

Representing the monarch’s “guiding light”, the pair of lamp standards are a gift from Parliament to the Queen and will be funded by MPs and Peers.

Tim commented: “Naturally, I was delighted to win this prestigious commission, which celebrates such an important national event, and delighted also  to be entrusted to add something new to this iconic building. Working within the Palace is a privilege, and I answer to a small group of Lords and MPs, including Mr Speaker, which is a unique experience.”

The commissioning committee selected Tim’s traditional, Pugin-esque design which includes sculptures of the heraldic beasts of Great Britain and other royal symbols around the base of the standards. The lanterns themselves reflect the shape of St Edward’s Crown.

Explaining the design and making process of the lamps, Tim said: “The competition brief cited the much-loved Dolphin Lamps that line the Embankment as a possible inspiration for the commission, and I designed several options based on this concept for consideration by the committee. My preferred design was a contemporary take on the Gothic and heraldic language of the Palace of Westminster, but the committee chose an option that more closely referenced Pugin’s medievalism. Pugin produced several elaborate lamp standards for the Palace which are significant examples of decorative sculpture and these influenced the way I developed my designs.

“This is the largest bronze commission I have yet undertaken and I will be working closely with the long-established Morris Singer Foundry.  Although most of my work is in stone, I spend a lot of my time modelling as a way of developing my ideas in three dimensions, making plaster casts from the models as reference for carving, so my normal way of working transfers easily into the use of bronze.  Morris Singer will cast my full-size models hollow, using the lost wax technique. I will also be working with William Sugg & Co, who specialise in heritage lighting schemes often involving the traditional gas lighting that can still be found at Westminster.”

The lamps will be positioned atop the staircase leading to the fountain in New Palace Yard at the Palace of Westminster, built to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, and it is hoped that the Queen will visit the statues next year as part of the planned celebrations.

The installation of the lamps follows a tradition of marking the reign of a monarch in such a way. Five lamps erected to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond and Golden Jubilees can be seen around the country and are now listed structures.

The Art School congratulates Tim on this historic commission and we look forward to seeing the completed sculptures when they are installed at the Palace of Westminster next year.

Follow the links to find out more about our renowned undergraduate and postgraduate courses in woodcarving and gilding and architectural stone carving.

Source: https://www.cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk/tim-crawley-to-create-queens-platinum-jubilee-monument/

Shakespeare’s New Place

Honouring the life of William Shakespeare, the site of the New Place has undergone a £6 million development project and features three gardens that are linked with paths, trees and a variety of sculptures one of which is “Mind’s Eye Tree” sculptured by Jill Berelowitz and Cast at Morris Singer Foundry.

Shakespeare’s New Place – Introduction with Jill’s Mind’s Eye Tree cast in bronze weight 4 ton + 4.5mt x 5mt. Created and sculpted by Jill Berelowitz | Cast by Morris Singer Foundry

minds-eye.jpg

The Prince of Wales visited New Place on 23 April 2016, the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

New Place also features Shakespeare’s Desk and Chair cast in Bronze at Morris Singer Foundry symbolic of what was used in the Elizabethan Era.

Take a look at the article published on the Times website here >

Photo of the day

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Memorial to Trooper Fred Potts VC

The memorial to Trooper Fred Potts VC and the Berkshire Yeomanry moves forward to the unveiling on 4 October 2015

The Trooper Potts VC Memorial Trust has announced today that the completed bronze sculpture of Trooper Potts VC and Trooper Andrews is waiting to be collected in the Morris Singer Fine Art Foundry, Lasham.  It will be installed on 2 October between 7 and 9am. This is the final part of the memorial to be delivered.

Download Full Press Release [PDF] »

Trooper Potts VC – The Unveiling VIDEO

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Lasham, Hampshire, GU34 5SQ