Atkin, a Reader in Fine Art at Loughborough University, was commissioned to create a sculpture that captures the creative spirit of Guangzhou, for installation at a landmark site beside the Pearl River.
The work draws inspiration from the flowing movements of Cantonese Opera’s water sleeve dancers, whose long, billowing sleeves are used to express emotion.
“Working through a combination of digital and traditional sculptural methods, I began to explore geometric forms that could be stretched, folded, and intertwined to evoke the flow of draped fabric and the rhythm of a moving body”, said Atkin, a former student of the Royal College of Art, who was personally funded during his MA by Henry Moore OM CH.
“Heirloom stands as both a gesture of cultural exchange and a testament to historic craftsmanship, merging digital precision with the enduring resonance of bronze.”
How it was made
Working with skilled craftspeople, Atkin developed a series of digital models and animations to test the sculpture's scale, placement, and materials. He selected bronze for “its sense of permanence and heritage, and for its resonance with the nearby Pearl River as a symbol of continuity and renewal”.
A full-scale plastic prototype was 3D-printed at a foundry in Tianjin, where Atkin refined the surface contours and detailing. From this, a multi-part mould was created, allowing a wax pattern to be produced in preparation for bronze casting.
The full-scale prototype of Heirloom. Image courtesy of AaRT.
Molten bronze was poured into the moulds to create a series of sections, which were later welded together around a concealed steel framework for strength and stability. Each join was carefully ground and polished until the surface appeared seamless, with the final stage of polishing completed by hand.
Left: The bronze segments of Heirloom are built around concealed steel frames. Right: An artisan working on a segment. Image courtesy of AaRT.
Up to six artisans worked simultaneously to achieve the sculpture’s flowing form, sanding and buffing the metal until the bronze reflected light like draped fabric.
The final stage was ‘patination’ – heating the bronze and brushing on chemical solutions to create its warm tone. The colour was sealed with wax and hand-polished to a soft sheen that shifts subtly with changing light.
Left: An artisan patinates a segment of Heirloom. Right: Artist John Atkin applies the finishing touches to a section of his sculpture. Image courtesy of AaRT.
Where to see it
Heirloom has been installed at the entrance of the Poly Guangzhou Tianhe District development on Linjiang Avenue – a new mixed-use complex overlooking the Pearl River.
Heirloom stands proudly in the entrance of the Poly Guangzhou Tianhe District development on Linjiang Avenue. Image courtesy of AaRT.
A spokesperson from AaRT Public Art Organisation, which commissioned the sculpture, said: “We deeply admire John Atkin's unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence, and his work has been a great source of inspiration for us.”