Next time you travel by car into London from the west and the traffic slows to a crawl, take a moment to look to your left and rest your eyes on a special piece of public art: The Leaning Woman (1959) by Dr. Karel Vogel.
This sculpture had been on the risk register for six years, falling into disrepair with overgrown surroundings, cracked concrete, and exposed, rusting iron armature. However, thanks to Heritage of London Trust’s campaign, restoration began this year.
The Leaning Woman is one of forty-one post-war public artworks in England protected by Historic England for its national significance. Commissioned by the London County Council in 1958 to compensate Hammersmith residents for the expansion of the Great West Road, this nearly twice life-size, semi-nude idealised figure was cast in concrete around a metal frame.
In 2018, Heritage of London Trust started a campaign to restore it, along with residents. The trust gave a grant of £10,000 and ran a crowdfunding campaign in the summer of 2023 which raised an additional £12,000 from the public, and £16,000 has been contributed from Hammersmith & Fulham council.
With arms resting lightly on an unseen surface, her weight is cantilevered from the base, creating a floating effect that connects her surroundings in a neo-classical calm with the speed of the modern world. Completed over a year, it was one of Vogel’s final works.
This week, along with many other supporters of the arts, we witnessed the unveiling and learned stories behind the evolution of the sculpture. It was fascinating to hear from the son of the woman who actually modeled for the piece. He described how his mother used an upside-down broomstick to rest her shoulder on to sustain the leaning posture for long periods!
The work Heritage of London Trust does to restore precious landmarks is so important. They are organising a thought-provoking conference on public art at the end of the year featuring speakers such as leading artists, architects, and curators like Thomas Heatherwick CBE. Discover more about Heritage of London Trust here.