The future of an internationally significant piece of public art in Belfast has been secured.
The Airborne Men sculpture, which has been on the side of Ulster Bank’s former Shaftesbury Square branch since the 1960s has been gifted to the Ulster Museum.
The aluminium figures by renowned artist Dame Elisabeth Frink were commissioned in 1961 on behalf of Ulster Bank, as a focal point at the then new Shaftesbury Square building, which opened in 1964.
Ulster Bank sold the building in 2009, with the bank then taking back a lease and retaining ownership of the sculptures to help protect and preserve them.
From August, there will be no remaining connection between the bank and building, and with the aim of ensuring that the people of Belfast can continue to view the works, the bank has gifted them to the museum.
Terry Robb, head of personal banking at Ulster Bank said: “This is fantastic news that will see the future of these internationally important artworks secured and will enable them to continue to be accessible to the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland. Ulster Bank recognises their significance in artistic terms and as a landmark, and after careful consideration, we strongly believe that this is the best outcome for the sculpture and the city.”
The works have been carefully and sensitively removed from the wall.
Anne Stewart, Senior Curator of Art at National Museums NI, said: “Elisabeth Frink's sculptures are renowned for their powerful and emotive representations of the human form, and they will undoubtedly captivate and inspire our visitors when they eventually go on display at the Ulster Museum."
