Casting the Statue  
Sir Steven's parents, Geoff and Sheila Redgrave, and members of the Appeal Committee were at Burleighfield Fine Arts Foundry, Loudwater, High Wycombe on 13 February to witness the casting of the statue in
bronze. Approximately half a ton of bronze was heated to 1250 degrees Centigrade, a process  which took some 3
½ hours. Finally all was ready; the moulds,  with their pouring risers and vents were ready to receive the bronze; the hot bronze was transferred from the furnace into a crucible, and then it was poured
into first the main mould, then a smaller mould containing casts for the finer detail.
Preparation for Casting
  Two members of the Appeal Committee visited Burleighfield Fine Arts Foundry in Loudwater, High Wycombe on Wednesday 23rd January to
see the plaster cast of Sir Steve Redgrave, where they were welcomed by the Managing Director Paul Dimishky. The 8-feet figure had been dissected by sculptor Neale Andrew for the journey from Nottingham to
Loudwater. These waste moulds will be used to make the master casts, which must withstand the pouring of molten bronze at a temperature of 1200 degrees Centigrade.
The Clay Model
Hugh McNearnie, Chairman of the Appeal gives an idea of the scale of the sculpture. The sculptor,
Nottingham based Neale Andrew, has to put a few finishing touches to the 8-feet tall clay model of Sir Steve Redgrave, before it is ready to receive a two inch thick coating of Plaster of Paris. This will
form the mould for the eventual bronze casting. The Maquette The statue of Sir Steven will depict him holding an oar in his right hand, his left hand raised in a
victorious salute. Around his neck hangs a representation of the five Olympic medals, falling loosely in the configuration of the five Olympic rings.The pose, with the weight resting on the right leg and the left arm raised, was used by classical Greek
sculptors in the depiction of athletes. A similar pose was used by Cellini in his triumphant sculpture of
Perseus. It will animate the sculpture and will be a direct link with athletes of the first Olympic Games.
The base of the statue will be of Caithness stone, which does not weather or mark, and will contrast well with the lighter walls of Court Garden House. The base, with an inscribed bronze plate set into it,
will be low to allow people to walk up and touch the sculpture. It is proposed to unveil the completed work in Spring or early Summer 2002. |
