The Glass Blower

Sculpture number 2 in my work taking images for the National Sculpture Database.  I am already amazed by the way in which works of art are commissioned and then surrounded by paraphernalia so no-one can see them properly.

This one is by the Bus Station in the old glass making town of Stourbridge.  The original statue was in fibreglass , Stuart Crystal supplied a glass blowing tube and it was placed directly on the ground.  I would have liked to have seen that when it was installed in 1994.  Unfortunately it was wrecked by vandals within a few weeks of it being installed.  It has been in storage ever since.  This more durable bronze version was put on its pedestal and installed in 1995.

I rather like it, but would love to be able to see it on a level without having to look up at it.  Apparently there is a smaller version in a different part of the town.  I might have to go and see that one too!  

We also visited and took images of Brierley Hill War Memorial - these memorials are amazingly detailed , and a metal sculpture of a Briar Rose outside the Civic Hall in Brierley Hill - The Place on a Hill with the Briar Rose.  Now I never knew that before either!  Fascinating!