Bronze resin: SOLD OUT
Bronze metal: Last edition left
Created with the inspiration from a pioneering British female river swimmer, Agnes Beckwith.
It is a tale of courage and survival as a tribute to the swimmers of yesteryear.
Beginning in 1875, when at the age of 14, she dived from a boat at London bridge and swam five miles to Greenwich.
Soon she was being billed as ‘the premier lady swimmer of the world’. Her impact on female swimming was tremendous; she opened the door for female swimming as we know it today with bravery and determination.
Looking out to the vastness of life, capturing that glorious moment when you have picked yourself up, dusted yourself off, grabbed your swimming cap and goggles, ready to ‘jump into life’.
A bronze sculpture stands proudly, as a timeless testament.
Its form, frozen in time, captivates viewers with its intricate details and graceful contours. The rich patina of the bronze surface tells a story of age and endurance, a silent witness to the passage of time.
Each curve and line whispers of the creator's hands, breathing life into the inert metal - whether capturing a moment of triumph, a fleeting emotion, or an eternal truth, the bronze sculpture invites contemplation and reflection, bridging the gap between art and reality.
With its enduring presence, it stands as a symbol of beauty and strengt, transcending generations to inspire awe and admiration for centuries to come.
always limited edition series
made in UK/Ireland by family foundries
quality bronze metals used (85% copper/tin, etc)
certificate of authenticity for bronzes
Suitable for in or outdoor settings.
Contact Dawn for viewing, payment & delivery options email: hello@dawnconn.com
Agnes / Foundry metal
Size:Metric – H: 52 W: 35 D: 20 centimetres (height / width / depth)
Imperial – H: 20.5 W: 14 D: 8 inches (height / width / depth)
mounted on 4 cms integral base with threaded hole for rod to be placed on the underside to mount onto any hard surface.
Weight - 8 kgs ~ foundry bronze
Medium: Bronze metal
Bronze Resin – also known as “cold cast bronze” or bonded bronze, is made of real bronze powder, mixed with polyester, epoxy or another resin and poured into a rubber reusable mould.
This is backed up with very strong fiberglass and resin.
Because real bronze powder is used over its surface, cold cast bronze can be colored or patinated (a chemical reaction with the metals in bronze) to look very similar to Foundry Bronze.
Foundry Bronze – refers to the poured molten metal that is cast solid or hollow, depending on size, at a bronze foundry (using the traditional lost wax process). It is more robust and will appreciate in value.
The first stage of making a bronze is to sculpt the original out of clay, plaster or wax. Dawn uses different materials: e-poxy resin / vintage textiles soaked in resin and other reclaimed items. This is built up over a steel and aluminium anatomical skeleton known as an armature.
Over this original sculpture a silicon rubber mould is made to form a negative of the original.
Into the mould molten wax is slushed in and then poured out and allowed to cool, to form a hollow wax positive.
The seam line where the mould fitted together is then worked out and the sculpture cut up into castable sections.
To this a series of wax runners and risers is fitted, and these allow the molten bronze to flow in and the gases to come out. Once the wax is 'sprued up' it is coated inside and out with liquid ceramic and grit built up in layers to form a strong heat-resistant investment around the wax.
This is then baked upside down in an oven allowing the wax to melt out - hence the term 'Cirdu perdue or lost wax.
This forms a negative space of the original into which molten bronze can be poured at 1200°c. Other metals such as gold, silver and stainless steel can be cast using the same method.
When the bronze has cooled, the ceramic shell is chipped away and the sprues cut off. To remove the ceramic from the surface detail the bronze is placed in acid, which breaks down the investment.
If the bronze has been cast in several pieces, it is now welded together and chased. This is a highly skilled process recreating any surface detail.
The sculpture is now ready to be heated up and applied with various chemicals, which form the finished patina/colouration of the bronze.
Production time: 8 - 10 weeks upon receipt of deposit