Sculptor vows to forge ahead with steel statue
A 40-metre high sculpture is being proposed as an iconic landmark for the Sheffield City Region. Sheffield City Council has invited ideas for a statue in the Lower Don Valley and this project is one being put forward for consideration.The proposed design created by local sculptor Steve Mehdi has already received widespread support from Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and a number of public and private sector organisations. Pictured: The design which is being proposed will be installed close to where the Tinsley Towers used to stand.
THE sculptor behind plans for a massive Man of Steel statue overlooking Meadowhall says he is pressing ahead with the multi-million pound project despite closing his art gallery in Sheffield.
Steve Mehdi shut his Ecclesall Gallery, on Ecclesall Road, after just three years, because of a lack of commissions in 2012 and the “poor economic climate in general”.
But he said he would soon be submitting a full planning application for the 40m statue to Rotherham Council and he was making a 10ft model to go on public display.
The former policeman, aged 55, of Grindleford, Derbyshire, said: “We put our heart and soul, and a significant investment, into the business and worked six days a week.
“We were disappointed to reach this decision, but feel we had no option given the global downturn, the timescale of which is unpredictable and beyond our control.
“I hope this will help dispel the questions surrounding the future of the Man of Steel project and I look forward to announcing more progress soon.”
The artist said the project, which is set to cost in the region of £2.4 million, could include an internal spiral staircase and a viewing platform.
Mr Mehdi said: “It is expected the money will come entirely from private investment, but may require ‘topping up’ with Arts Council or other funding, once we know the final figure.”
He added: “Inevitably, a project of this size is difficult to cost accurately with so many factors involved, and it’s likely to be higher.”
The scheme has the backing of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and the approval ‘in principle’ of Rotherham Council.
Richard Wright, Sheffield Chamber’s executive director, said: “My understanding is that work is ongoing on a larger model and putting in a stair and viewing platform, inside the head as the northern eye so to speak.”
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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Comments
There are 5 comments to this article
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Ukip
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 07:22 PMWhy is he applying to Rotherham, when it is supposed to be in Sheffield? I thought that the electricity company who pulled down the tower, were going to provide a statue, after public consultation and pay all the costs.
mjb66
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 06:03 PMIt looks good, for better than the rusty angel of the north. Date for opening please.
dromedary
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 05:27 PM#1.... Spot on! . . . . A complete and utter waste of money especially from an unknown artist. . . . .Perhaps its time to actually ask the public what they would like put there or maybe not put anything there at all!
drystonewall
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 04:31 PMIt'll get vandalised or weighed in for scrap.
White Bloke
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:05 AMIs this a joke ? People are moaning that the Lord mayor job is a waste of money even though it employs 3 people and the Mayor only gets 7 grand a year for expenses, and then we have this bloke - who is that good at being an artist that his business went under due to lack of interest in his work, saying he is going to build a statue at the cost of Millions? How can you justify such a thing? If we wanted something to look at they should have spent money on building a skeletal structure on the insides of the cooling towers and kept them.
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