Main image: The Boulton, Watt and Murdoch statue, which stands on Broad Street in Birmingham is to be removed and cared for by Birmingham Museums Trust during redevelopments to the city. Photograph and interview by Adrian Murphy
As a new tram line and regeneration to public squares take place in Birmingham, two of the city’s most iconic statues – Boulton, Watt and Murdoch and Iron: Man – will be temporarily removed from their familiar sites
But where will they go and who will look after them? The local museum of course. And Advisor had a quick chat to Rob Lewis, Collections Care Manager at Birmingham Museums Trust to find out more
What’s happening?
Preparations are being made to remove the Boulton, Watt and Murdoch statue on Broad Street, expected to begin in late August, and Iron: Man, which is expected to move in early September, as the next phase of regeneration works around Centenary Square and Paradise begins. Both will return to public view in late 2018.
What happens to the statues once they have been moved?
The statues will be stored in secure third party storage, until the re-development works are complete and they can be re-instated.
What are the main ways the statues will be looked after while in the museum’s care?
Birmingham Museums Trust manages these works on behalf of Birmingham City Council. During the period of them being taken off the public realm, they will be in the care of the contractor at their secure storage facility. Birmingham Museums Trust made recommendations regarding the storage requirements of these works, and was involved in the evaluation process for the contractor. Access to the statues will be provided to the professionally accredited conservator-restorer (PACR status) Ian Clark, to undertake any cleaning of the statues prior to their care – again, under consultation with Birmingham Museums Trust. Birmingham Museums Trust maintains a regular survey of works of Public Art which informs our programme of cleaning and maintenance, and includes these and the other works within our remit.
How many city statues are in the museum’s care and are there future plans to return some of them to the city’s streets?
There are nearly 40 public statues and artworks in the museum’s care. Almost all of these are in the public realm. There are only a very small number of public artworks in storage – most of these, like Iron: Man and Boulton, Murdoch and Watt have been temporarily moved to facilitate redevelopment works, and will, like the reclining Thomas Attwood [19th century political reformer whose statue was situated in Chamberlain Square where redevelopments are underway], be returned within these schemes when the work is complete. Birmingham City Council and their contractors would be able to advise on the specific locations within the relevant schemes.
Can people see them while they are in the museum’s care?
As the two statues about to be moved will be stored by third party contractors in secure storage, the location for this cannot be disclosed, and they would not be accessible to the general public. The Museum Collection Centre is accessible on monthly Open Afternoons and by groups who may book a private tour. However, most of the Public Art, as it is only temporarily housed with us, are stored crated and so the sculptures themselves are not visible.
Why is this process of care important?
Birmingham Museums Trust undertakes to care for all works under its remit. It is important that these two statues, like others, can be enjoyed by the public and suitably cared for while they are temporarily removed. We look forward to seeing them back on display in the city again next year.
