Thousands Of Public Sculptures In The UK Have Been Digitized For All To Discover
The Kelpies (2013) by Andy Scott and SH Structures Ltd. Photo 72540164 © Sueburtonphotography | Dreamstime.com
When you’re lucky, you’ll come across a statue that stops you in your tracks. Art UK, a charity with an ambition to host all of the nation’s public art in one online home, has brought 13,500 sculptures to the web for the first time so that you can take in these works from your own abode.
The Art UK portal encompasses sculptures seen not only in cities but also rural areas, making public art far more accessible to, well, the public. It’s thanks to the effort of 500 photographers and data volunteers, and the collections of 3,400 British institutions, that the nonprofit has managed to accelerate the online preservation of these works.
Sculptures include work by Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Henry Moore, and Barbara Hepworth, among thousands of others. Through this massive, five-year initiative, the charity hopes to paint the richness of British art history for the masses.
Verity by Damien Hirst and Pangolin Editions. Photo 85713782 © Alexey Lobanov | Dreamstime.com
“Through our work, we make art available for everyone—for enjoyment, learning and research,” explains Art UK on its website.
Spirit of Belfast by Dan George. Photo 68465426 © Adamico | Dreamstime.com
At the same time, the cataloging of the nation’s public art gives archivists an idea of the people that history loved to commemorate or revere.
Of the 13,500 or so, over 2,600 sculptures portrayed named figures—with Queen Victoria being the most-depicted royal. More than 460 were of people who came from royalty. Other recognized people include Princess Pocahontas and The Bee Gees.
Angel of the North (1994–1997) by Antony Gormley. Photo 21348480 © Phildaint | Dreamstime.com
Under 2% of the sculptures were of people from ethnically-diverse backgrounds, so future artists have their work carved out for them.
You can explore the online library here.
Burghers of Calais (1884–1889 & 1914) by Auguste Rodin and Alexis Rudier. Photos 210876225 © Anthony Baggett | Dreamstime.com
