Here before us stands the Gateway of Hands Sculpture. It’s a bronze testament to connection.
This artwork is not just metal. It embodies the spirit of collaboration and artistry. Let’s delve into the story of this captivating sculpture.
The Gateway of Hands Sculpture is the creation of Glynn Williams. He is a British sculptor born in 1939. Williams is a Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors.
The sculpture you see is not the original. It is a maquette. A maquette is a sculptor’s small preliminary model. The real Gateway of Hands was commissioned in 1993. You can find the full-sized sculpture opposite Chelsea Harbour Design Centre. It is located on Harbour Avenue.
Glynn Williams’ journey to creating this piece is quite interesting. He attended Wolverhampton College of Art in 1955. Later he worked at the British School in Rome. This was after winning the British Prix de Rome scholarship in 1963.
Williams became Head of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art in 1990. He then became Head of the School of Fine Art from 1995 to 2010. His early works included abstract sculptures. These were often crate-like objects made of wood. Later in his career he began carving stone figures.
The Gateway of Hands maquette is bronze. It measures 26 cm in height, 55 cm in width and 25 cm in depth. This includes its base.
This maquette was once donated to the Royal Society of Sculptors. This highlights the art community support. It shows the importance of Williams’ work.
When artworks are sold through auction, artists get a resale royalty. This is known as the Artist’s Resale Right. It applies to living artists and descendants for 70 years after death. This royalty ensures artists benefit from their work’s continued value.
The Gateway of Hands embodies connection and artistic legacy. Think of the full-sized sculpture in Chelsea Harbour. Imagine the hands reaching out to each other. They are connecting across divides.
As you leave the Gateway of Hands Sculpture, remember its message. Art connects us. It inspires us and leaves a lasting mark.