Client: Zahra Modern Art FoundryArtist: Nasser AzamLocation: Silvertown, London, UK
Date: 2012-07-15 00:00:00 +0000 UTCTags: Art, Bronze, Sculpture
Athena
A Ramboll project
A landmark sculpture sited on a roundabout close to London’s City Airport. A stylised female form, back arched and arms stretching skyward, named Athena with a nod to the London Olympic Games of 2012, it was called a celebration of heroic endeavour.
The 12m tall sculpture was the tallest bronze in the UK at the time of installation. It was surpassed by Damien Hirst’s “Verity” later in 2012. The sculpture has an internal stainless steel armature to support the bronze. It stands on a carefully-designed steel spreader frame, supported by screw piles, that bridges Thames Water assets under the roundabout.
Nasser Azam, originally from Newham, had the bronze cast at his foundry, Zahra Modern Art Foundries, which he had purchased in 2010. This foundry, originally called the Morris Singer Art Foundry, was the one that cast the Trafalgar Square Lions.
Photography © Zahra Modern Art Foundry, Nasser Azam