Louise Giblin - Bodycasting Olympians

In July 2011, Louise Giblin's Bodycasting Olympian Series commenced with the first major British Olympian being body cast for sculpted pieces relating to their physical power & personal triumph. Beth Tweddle MBE, Dame Kelly Holmes, Sally Gunnell OBE, Kriss Akabusi MBE & Paralympian quadruple medallist swimmer Darren Leach all agreed to “get plastered” by Louise to produce a highly detailed body cast sculpture with intricate carvings and detail. Louise asked each athlete to choose their greatest sporting achievement which she then represented on the front of their respective body cast sculptures. Beth Tweddle chose her World Championship gold medal win at the 02 Arena in London (detail includes London, River Thames (think Eastenders), London skyline, St Paul's Cathedral, London Eye, 02 Arena, stadium seating plan); Kelly Holmes her double gold win at the Athens Olympics (detail includes ancient Athens, temples, Elgin marbles, double gold medal, Goddess Nike); Kriss Akabusi his silver win at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (detail includes architecture, personal photos, stadium seating plan, LA olympics logo); Sally Gunnell her gold at the Barcelona Olympics (detail includes La Sagrada Famiglia, inspirational words & phrases) and Darren Leach his silver at Sydney (detail includes Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, medals, splash of water). Each torso depicts a highly stylised musculature on the back to indicate the physical strength and power of the athlete.

The sculptures, drawings & photographs were exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London between 21-26 May 2012, the body cast sculptures only at Saffron on the same dates & the entire exhibition at Saffron from 27 July-11 Aug 2012. All body cast sculptures are editions of 12, plaques are editions of 6 and drawings are unique.