Art shipment to Australia
As we know the Australians love their sport, and that passion transpires in their art as well. Wallis have just shipped three magnificent sport sculptures to Newcastle, Australia, for UK artist Clare Bigger. The sculptures made of steel depict a life-size cyclist, a sprinter and a long-jumper in motion.
Sculptor, Clare, who was commissioned to make these by the McCloy Group in Australia, told us; “I have made many sports related pieces as I love the challenge of capturing movement. I am also quite keen on sport myself – in particular triathlon at the moment.”
Her sculptures can be anything from 10cm – 10m high. Clare was born and brought up in Africa and has since travelled extensively with destinations including Solomon Islands, Bhutan and Costa Rica. She is now based in Lancashire, northern England, where she works on commissions and projects from her studio.
“I started working in stainless steel in 1995 when I made my first public art piece for Birmingham Midshires Building Society. Since then I have made around 30 large scale pieces but also continue to make smaller studio pieces which are shown in galleries and end up (hopefully) in people’s gardens and homes!”
The steel sculptures which cost more than £60,000 had to be carefully taken apart, wrapped, packaged separately, and lashed and secured by Wallis and our suppliers inside a 40ft container. As with all our export shipments to Australia particular care had to be made with the treatment of materials. Before they could be packed the sculptures first had to be cleaned at Vecom Sillavan Metal Treatment and the pallets, that they were secured onto, had to be made of fumigated pressure treated wood.
Wallis’ Project Manager, Dominique Linch, said: “As with all of our shipments we take great care making sure the pieces are carefully secured and packaged, but particular care was taken over these fragile and expensive pieces of art.”
The three sculptures which weighed a total of 1500kg set sail out of London Gateway and safely arrived in Sydney a month later, before Christmas.
Wallis’ customer and partner, Austorient Freight, who are the Australian agent for the McCloy group said: “Wallis took great care, as always, in ensuring our client’s cargo was well looked after and arrived on time.”
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East Anglian exporters are well-placed to take advantage of growing opportunities in these key global markets. Wallis’ MD Stuart Gregory sits on the board of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and can put you in touch with international trade groups to help you expand. Need help deciding which market is best for your business? Get in touch with us on 01206 751133 to discuss your opportunities.