Located at Columbia West in the heart of a new development in Canary Wharf, my largest ever installation has finally been finished. Measuring over 20 feet long and nearly 7 feet tall it took 6 months to complete and install.
So after four months of hard work and numerous site visits and client meetings this new, and very large single-span artwork has been completed; on time and on budget. At first I wasn’t sure if I could actually construct a curved painting but that has now been proved otherwise.
For the commissioning client (Ballymore Properties) the brief was to have a piece of art big enough to fill the wall of the concierge area at Columbia West Tower; part of the huge development off Baffin Way (E14), London. At the heart of the financial district next to Canary Wharf.
It had to echo the interior finishes whilst encompassing the colours from natural elements like water, sunsets and plants. The way that light comes into the lobby was of particular interest to me as it would help to shape the ideas for what the painting would look like. Funny how you get the feel for things when you’re actually standing in the space where it’s going to go.
This particular incarnation was the second of two canvases I painted and was the principle choice for the space. I always paint a minimum of two canvases for any commission, no matter how big it may be.
Here’s the secret to getting the curved bit done. And let me point out that there was no precedent for this – the engineering side of things has been conceived up by Adrian and myself through a little maths and physics and a lot of trial and error.
The wall securing system consists of 14 fabricated uprights (30mm aluminium square section bar) that were drilled through in five locations and fixed to the wall at 500mm intervals. Then it was time for the backing assembly.
The entire thing was made from layers of 5mm foam board. Popular in the sign making industry this material is flexible and doesn’t break easily, yet is lightweight and durable. I figured it was perfect for adapting to a curved wall so six enormous sheets were purchased and cut into sections of a pre-determined length and width in order to create a ‘brick’ type effect as we built up the layers.
This has the benefit of adding longitudinal strength as the base was constructed. So each of the three layers has their joints overlapped by the next and so on. We had made a scaled down version to test that the curve could actually be made before arriving on site.
When the outer most layer was complete each countersunk screw hole was then filled and sanded before the bonding agent was applied. Once this was done it was time to roll out the canvas and stick it to the back assembly; easier said than done.
In total there are over 560 individual fixings in the framework, 22 litres of paint in the painting and a commitment of over 500 man-hours from the point I first said ‘Of course I can do that!’
If you’re curious to see what this actually looks like for real then you can find it hanging in the concierge area of Columbia West Tower off Baffin Way, Docklands, London. Just look for the IBIS Hotel and you’ll see the lobby next door – right opposite Il Bianco Italian Restaurant (very good by the way!). This is a new build of high end apartments by joint contractors Ballymore Properties and Balfour-Beatty.
If you have a large scale project in mind please get in touch today; after this I feel I could take on anything.
I am extremely proud of my achievement but I’d love to know what you think too.
Please feel free to leave your thoughts below.
New glass painted vases
Looking for advice to see if anybody manufactures curved artists frames for outward not inward curving artwork.
As you have done would it be a one-off per location.
Thanks John
We had to fabricate our own system of upright brackets and boards becuase we couldn’t get anyone interested to make one for us. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Hi Ed. Hope you are well. Great story, and amazing work and outcome. When Susie and I visited you a while back you mentioned you might be filming a ‘drone’ video of the project. Did you actually do it? I would love to see it, and I’m sure all of your other fans/supporters would do too. Best regards from Bedford, Mick and Susie.
Thanks Mick. I haven’t got any footage of the install alas as we got too sucked in to actually doing it and overcoming so many issues. Pity but by the time we’d realised we’d forgotten it was too late! Will try for another time though. Appreciate your feedback as always.
Great job my man!
There’s nothing like saying yes and working out the how later!
Generally speaking i love your work and more so your whole approach and fun but v serious attitude
keep up the good work
mx
You are very kind Matt, thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts!
Will keep plodding on my friend!
you just get more and more awesome, don’t you?
You are too kind! Thank you so much :)