Louise Giblin (sculptor)
| Louise Giblin | |
|---|---|
 Louise Giblin, July 2014 | |
| Born | 1963 |
| Occupation | Sculptor |
Louise Giblin (born 1963) MA, MRBS, is a body-cast sculptor.[1] She is noted in particular for her “Body-Casting Olympians” project.
Training
Louise trained under Anthony Gormley and Peter Randall-Page at Brighton Polytechnic (1982–86) and at the Chelsea College of Arts (1989–93).
From 1990 to 1994 she was on the Secondary Education Advisory Group within the Design Council, London. She was elected Associate of the Royal British Society of Sculptors in 2010 and was elected a full Member in 2014.
Olympians Project
This project aimed to record the physiques of five British Olympians in 2011. Each subject body-cast also had a series of surface decorations pertinent to their lives. Part of the profits was donated to the Headfirst charity, which funds research into brain injuries. This project led Louise to be called “one of the world’s leading body cast sculptors”.[2]
The body-casts weigh around 10 kg and must be worn for an hour whilst setting.[3]
The chosen subjects (with surface decoration shown in brackets) were:
- Kriss Akabusi MBE (Los Angeles Olympics, Kriss hurdling, Kriss finishing relay, Warrant Officers badge, the words “Dream Big”)
- Beth Tweddle MBE gymnast (Gold medal, O2 Arena, London skyline, map of East End, London Eye)
- Dame Kelly Holmes (2 Gold Medals from Athens, Greek Olympian elements, the Nereid Temple, the Goddess Nike)
- Sally Gunnell OBE (features from Barcelona)
- Darren Leach, paralympian swimmer (4 medals from the Sydney Olympics, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Diving with a splash, a pile of medals)
Living Legends Project
- Michael Portillo Head casting 2011 with a medieval Spanish town cast on the right cheek
- Lord Colin Moynihan Head casting 2012
- Heather Mills Body casting 2012
- Duncan Goodhew Head casting 2014 (with water ripples)
- Reuben Richards singer, three head castings 2013
- Daniel Whiston, figure skater, star of Dancing on Ice Body casting 2014
Lest We Forget Project
This is an important exercise in "historical memory": casting the hands of nine British military personnel who have served in the many wars within the last 50 years. The subject's include Louise's brother, Brigadier John McKintosh, who served in Bosnia. The project is planned to be expanded until 11 November 2018, the centenary of the last day of World War One, having begun on the centenary of the start of the war.[4]
- Brigadier Kevin Beaton, OBE - Sierra Leone
- Ambulance Driver, Glen Fitzpatrick - Gulf War
- Major Mike Moran, MBE
- Squadron Leader Neil Gibson - WW2
- Lt Col Patricia Gibson, MBE - Kosovo
- Brigadier John McKintosh - Bosnia
- Ordinary Seaman Lawrence Kidman - Norway - Cold War
- Major Dave Sippitt - Falkland Islands
- Captain Hitman Gurung - Afghanistan
- L/C Paul Smith, Household Cavalry - Iraq and Afghanistan (head-casting, "Tank Head")
Other Exhibitions of Note
- Lords Cricket Ground October 2013
- Museum of Liverpool Beth Tweedie exhibit Mar – July 2013
- Frant (Lord Colin Moynihan’s estate) June 2012
- Mall Galleries May 2012
- Art of the Imagination, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology July – Sept 2011
- Exhibition at Pashley Manor May 2010
References
- Art of England (journal) November 2011
- Daily Mail, 16 August 2014
Sources
- "Sport's golden girl immortalised in brass | London - ITV News". itv.com. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
- "BBC News - Olympic athletes' body casts created by Louise Giblin". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
- "Olympic athletes' body casts created by Louise Giblin - Worldnews.com". article.wn.com. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
- "Liverpool gymnast Beth Tweddle immortalised in bronze - Liverpool Echo". liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
- "BBC News - Beth Tweddle sculpture presented to her in Liverpool". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
- "Beth Tweddle sculpture - ITV News". itv.com. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
- "Paralympian cast in aluminium - ITV News". itv.com. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
- "In Pictures: 'Chelsea Flower Show meets royal pregnancy' - BBC News". m.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
- "Olympian Series II – Beth Tweddle MBE - Museum of Liverpool, Liverpool museums". liverpoolmuseums.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-21.