Public Art Research Archive, Sheffield Hallam University
PUBLIC ART IN SHEFFIELD

Boris Tietze
'Vulcan', 1962
1 King Street, Sheffield S1
Glass fibre on a metal armature

Location:
High up on the wall of 1 King Street, Sheffield S1. (A-Z p5 2F)

Description:
Glass fibre on a metal armature. The materials were chosen to keep the piece "light and stable"[1] as it was to be installed on the outside wall of the building. The 8 ft high figure has a bundle of metal rods in his right hand.

Commission:
Horne Bros. This building was their head office in Sheffield. Tietze "decided to use the god of steel - Vulcan - as being representative of Sheffield, then a thriving steel town"[1]. Vulcan also appears on Sheffield's Coat of Arms and on a number of other pieces in the city.

Comment:
'Vulcan' is prominently sited overlooking Castle Square. This was Tiezte's second commission after leaving the Slade School of Fine Art.
More of Boris Tietze's work and a biography can be found on the site he shares with his wife Margaret at http://www.Tietze.co.uk.

References:
[1] : e-mail from Boris Tietze: 25.2.2000
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