W G GRACE SCULPTURE PROJECT. INFORMATION/PRESS RELEASE.
Fundere Foundry - 28 April 1999
Louis at work on the sculpture
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Detail of the head
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FUNDERE FINE ART FOUNDRY in collaboration with Sculptor LOUIS
LAUMEN have produced a World first Monumental bronze sculpture of
the cricketing legend, W.G. GRACE. We are proud to offer this
one-off piece for sale in the UK. Grace will make his return to
English shores in May 1999. The Grace sculpture will be exhibited
at The GCCC County Ground in Bristol from 12th May in
time for the West Indies v Pakistan World Cup fixture there on the 16th
May.
The Grace project follows the successful commission by the
foundry for a life-size sculpture of Sir Donald Bradman, modelled
by Mitch Mitchell, and sold at auction by Christies in Melbourne
in 1998. The Grace commemoration marks the continuation of a
speculative initiative by Fundere to produce life-size images of
prominent sporting and historical figures.
Sculptor LOUIS LAUMEN is emerging now as the leading practitioner
in his field in Australia, setting new standards in the southern
hemisphere for his consummate representations of the human form.
Laumen is a first generation Dutch emigre who has lectured and
exhibited widely throughout Australia. Notable commissions
include; ANZ Banking Group, National Gallery of Victoria,
Melbourne Legacy Organisation, Cities of Benalla, Bendigo and
Malvern; Omega Trend Ltd., Royal Selangor Ltd.; and numerous
private portrait commissions.
We at Fundere, Louis Laumen and our Associates are intent on
producing the definitive Grace image, which we believe will offer
a unique and solid investment opportunity. Accordingly at all
stages of this commission, the highest standards of craft and
workmanship have been sought. This is an intensely researched
piece and from all angles is an accurate reproduction of the man
and the period, revealing an insight into the cricketing
technique and dress of the time. It was largely through GraceÕs
endeavours that the game of Cricket progressed from an insular
English pastime into the international game we know today. No
comparable tribute to Grace is in existence anywhere in the
world. The sculpture is a world first; a tribute to the man and
the legend as befits his unique character, and contribution to
the game. The pose is taken from the only surviving film footage
of Grace, in action at a practice session in 1907.
A proportion of the proceeds will be donated to charity; with
cricketing initiatives for young people in the UK being the prime
recipients. For income above the reserve price, an additional
portion will be donated to the charities of choice of the winning
bidder. Contribution and acknowledgment will also be paid to the
Marylebone Cricket Club, Gloucester County Cricket Club and the
Grace family.
Melbourne based FUNDERE is one of AustraliaÕs leading producers
of bronze and metal sculpture; established in 1995 by Artist
CAMERON McINDOE; and joined in 1998 by metals expert SEAN ELLIOTT
as production director.
13-15 DAVID STREET RICHMOND VICTORIA AUSTRALIA 3121. Tel 613
9427 1271. Publicity: ALAN DELANEY Tel/Fax 613 9354 0112
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