Make sure to visit the National Geographic + Pure Sculpture website for developments on this collection and partnership.
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| Together Life Size by Brad Oldham |
The Journey of a Life-Size Bronze Lion
It is no small feat to create and install a large-scale
public sculpture. On June 11, 2013, 417 hours of intensive planning and skilled
craftsmanship came together seamlessly as Pure Sculpture co-founder and artist Brad
Oldham’s life-size bronze lion was installed in the courtyard of the National
Geographic Society’s Washington, D.C., campus.
From the onset, Oldham had a strong vision for the
installation of the 450-pound lost-wax cast bronze lion created in support of
National Geographic Society’s Big Cats Initiative. In the months leading up to
the installation, Oldham visited the grounds, taking note of every detail, down
to the bed of wood chips under the sculpture’s hand-cut marble base. From
lighting to signage, Oldham’s clear direction made for an efficient
installation and, ultimately, a fantastic display of three-dimensional art.
The life-size lion made its 1,300 mile journey from Dallas
to Washington, D.C. By 6:00 a.m. on June 11, National Geographic’s Engineering
and Museum teams met Oldham in the courtyard, ready to install and unveil the
majestic bronze sculpture, which stands over 66 inches wide and 36 inches tall.
Thanks to Oldham’s preparation and the help of the many skilled hands that
touched this project, the sculpture was installed in less than 45 minutes. By
the time National Geographic staff entered the campus on that Tuesday morning,
they were greeted by a magnificent depiction of an adult male lion and its cub.
The installation of this exquisite work marks the beginning
of a partnership between NG Licensing and Pure Sculpture to raise awareness and
funds for National Geographic programs through the fine art medium of
sculpture. Check back here for updates on this exciting project.
