Aberdeen City Council’s King Robert the Bruce design competition (ENDED 17 NOVEMBER 2007)
Vote for your favourite design
DAVID ANNAND
Born: Insch, Scotland
Based: Cupar, Fife
Formal training: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee
SELECTED COMMISSIONS AND WORKS ON PUBLIC DISPLAY
Amphitheatre, Mansfield, England
Steve Hislop Memorial - major stainless steel commission, Exeter
Timepiece, Strood, England
Robert Fergusson Memorial, Edinburgh, Scotland
Norman McCaig, New Edinburgh Park, Scotland
Declaration of Arbroath - Robert the Bruce and Bernard de Linton at gateway to Arbroath
ARTIST STATEMENT
I was born in Insch and remember as a wee boy, coming into Aberdeen on Saturdays and there, in its terrifying grandeur, was the Wallace statue. I had heard he was a giant and thought that this was his actual size.
My proposal is to give people a space to relax in and contemplate their sense of history. To this end I would build a garden with granite blocks arranged to resemble the design of an ancient 'Broch'. It would give a comforting shape like an amphitheatre, which could be used for organised events on special occasions. Central to this is a two metre high figure of Bruce in bronze holding the Charter of 1319.
My sculpture is contemporary, Public Art and the word Public is firmly in the possessive case. I want the Public in Aberdeen to have ownership of this sculpture, to be able to stroll into it, become part of it and possess it.
I would sculpt Bruce so that he looks straight at you. You will feel the courage, wisdom, charisma, generosity and physical strength of the man who still affects our lives 688 years later.
ALAN BEATTIE HERRIOT
Born: Easthouses, near Edinburgh
Based: Penicuik
Formal training: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee
SELECTED COMMISSIONS AND WORKS ON PUBLIC DISPLAY
Miners Monument, Newtongrange, Scotland
Drummer Boy War Memorial, Winchburgh, Scotland
51st Highland Division Monument, Schijendel, Holland
51st Highland Division Monument, Perth, Scotland
Ancient Mariner, Somerset, England
51st Highland Division Monument, Breville, Normandy, France
ARTIST STATEMENT
Although my natural inclination is to respect ancient Greek values of sublime perfection of form and beauty, my strongest contemporary influences lie principally with the late Scott Sutherland, the late Alistair Smart and my good friend and former senior lecturer Dr. Alistair Ross. These men instilled in me a sound work ethic to pursue, through the keen observation of one's subject and a diligent application of anatomy, an excellence of result that cannot be achieved by any other means.
Over the past thirty years my chosen medium has been clay which allows considerable versatility, and I prefer to work from the life model. Previous works have been historically orientated and, whether real or fictional, before commencing any work, a certain amount of research is generally the order of the day. As a keen student of history this task is enjoyable and always rewarding; I believe that it is important to know the background of the chosen subject so as to better interpret and illustrate it.
My ultimate goal is to produce a pleasing and well-considered sculpture; a piece that demonstrates quality of craftsmanship and real ability; more importantly, a piece that will enhance its chosen location and the lives of the people who view it.
BEN VICTOR
Born: California, USA
Based: Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA.
Formal training: Northern State University, Aberdeen, USA
SELECTED COMMISSIONS AND WORKS ON PUBLIC DISPLAY
War Memorial Sculpture, Aberdeen Regional Airport, South Dakota, USA
Sarah Winnemucca, National Statuary Hall, Washington, USA
Samson and Delilah, Gillette, Wyoming, USA
Community and Independence, Wells Avenue Beautification Project, Reno, USA
The Monument to Firefighters, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
Four Seasons Sculpture, United Clinic building, Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA
ARTIST STATEMENT
A gift from God is the way Benjamin Victor describes his natural ability to sculpture monumental size works of art. By receiving his first large commission at only 23 years old Benjamin joined the ranks of Michelangelo, Bernini, and Daniel Chester French. At age 26 he became the youngest artist ever to have a sculpture in our Nation's foremost collection of figurative sculpture (the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol). Art critics and organisations (including the National Sculpture Society in New York City) continue to recognise the aesthetic and conceptual integrity of Benjamin's artwork. His incredible passion and drive show in each of his unique and profound creations. With exquisite detail, dynamic gesture, and thought provoking content the sculpture of Benjamin Victor is sure to take its place among the great masterpieces of art history.
Benjamin lives in Aberdeen, South Dakota in the United States of America. He looks forward to being able to visit and enjoy Aberdeen Scotland, and hopes to set up a studio and work on the full scale version of his design in Aberdeen Scotland so that the community and schools can be involved in and learn about his sculpture process.
