Flying Figures - Former Ulster Bank, Shaftesbury Square / Dublin Rd - Belfast - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

"When these figures, by Elisabeth Frink, on the Ulster Bank in Shaftesbury Square were unveiled in the 60’s many column inches in the papers and hours on the wireless and television were devoted to discussions about them. Now, more than 40 years later, it is doubtful if anyone even notices them. The ultimate indignity, given their proximity to Queen’s University, is that they never seem to have featured in a Rag Day stunt."

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"The two figures are cast aluminium and described as "larger than life size." Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) (visit link) was born in Sussex and soon became known as one of Britain's leading artists.
She came to see the site in 1961 and work out how she would fulfil her commission.
Three years later she returned (in June 1964) to supervise the erection of the finished installation.
I can only imagine what people in Belfast (and in the bank) thought of two such figures being displayed in this prominent position ... but now they're simply part of the urban landscape!

The "Flying Figures" defy being put in any specific category ... human, animal, bird ... all combine to create unusual and dynamic sculptures.
Being on the side of a bank they were immediately christened "Draft and Overdraft"! Today their lofty heights were certainly draughty as a sharp breeze whipped round the Square. One of my friends suggests that they might be called "Highway Robbery"!

The exaggerated modelling was used to express the inner spirit of the subject. Strength, struggle and aggression combined with sensuality and vulnerability are all characteristics found in these creations. (She rarely worked on the female form.)"

SOURCE - (visit link)

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Unknown Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Elisabeth Frink Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1964 Materials used: Cast Aluminium Location: Former Ulster Bank, Shaftesbury Square / Dublin Rd

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/05/2018 Master Mariner visited it