Ian Walters: International Brigades memorial London
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Ian Walters was a British sculptor living and working in London. Walters was a commited socialist, a member of CND, supported local causes in London and was passionately opposed to apartheid. His work celebrates the hereos of liberation. He died on 6th August 2006. Tony Benn said of him, "Immortality for him means his work will be known and appreciated for centuries, long after the speeches of those portrayed are yellowing, unread, in the public libraries."
Ian Walters, centre, with Brian Barnes and Ruth Forrest protesting for the survival of Battersea Power Station Chimneys. Photo: © Sujeong Lee, 2006; published with permission.
As well as the International Brigade memorial his other work includes portraits of Nelson Mandella and political figures such as Fenner Brockway, Harold Wilson and Tony Benn. When he died he was working on projects for memorials to Slyvia Pankhurst and The Bronze Women and, after protracted arguments, his full figure of Nelson Mandella was to have been erected the following year.
:: Read Brian Barnes obituary of Ian Walters.
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The International Brigade Memorial
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The memorial
The sculpture shows a figure being lifted up by four other smaller figures. The main figure is larger and has a blindfold or bandage across its eyes and around its head. The left hand is missing, severed at the wrist; the right hand trails on the ground palm up.
The arms of the four smaller figures, two on each side, combine together to cradle the dying figure, raising it up. On the left side the arms of the smaller figures are raised, palm open, in an upward defensive gesture; on the right side a hand is raised in the defiant, clenched fist salute of the Republican cause. From a distance the arms and hands look like wings stretching upwards to the sky to lift the fallen figure.
Two of the original commissioning committee, Betty and Chris Birch, see the memorial as representing "the support given by the people of many nations to the Spanish people in their fight against fascism."
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The memorial sculpture
Ian Walters first made a small model or maquette of his design which was was shown to the Appeals Committee along with the designs of four other artists. The Committee choose Ian Walters design as best representimng their idea for the memorial. He then set about making a full-size version. This was made of plaster and was taken to the foundry where it was cast in bronze.
The photograph shows Ian Walters finishing the full-size plaster version of the sculpture before sending it to the Livingstone Foundry where it was cast in bronze.
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"...the committee was well pleased."
In 1983 there were many memorials in other countries and in Britain to the International Brigade; but nothing in London. So in that year it was decided that something should be done about trying to raise the funds for a suitable memorial in the capital city. A number of people agreed to be sponsors, and early in 1984 the International Brigade Memorial Appeal was launched. Bill Alexander was the chairman, Jim Jump (senior) was the secretary, Chris Birch was the treasurer, and the committee members were Betty Birch, Solly Kaye, Bob Walker, Joe Monks, and Ann or Anne Mildwater. Alec Digges attended some of the meetings.
The sponsors of the appeal were Isabel Brown, James Cameron, Moss Evans, Michael Foot MP, Lord Elwyn-Jones, Ivor Montague, Arthur Scargill, Sogat 82 William Keys, Dame Janet Vaughan and Lord Willis. A public appeal was launched, posters produced and letters sent to all the unions affiliated to the TUC and (we think) to all constituency Labour Parties. Many individuals also contributed as did the Greater London Council.
Five sculptors, were asked to present their ideas, and the maquette by Ian Walters was chosen by a majority vote of the committee. In the end, "the committee was well pleased."
This section on the commissioning of the scultpture is by Betty and Chris Birch.
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Casting the sculpture..
The sculpture is made of bronze and was cast by Wally Livingstone at his foundry in Kent.
Looking at the sculpture in Jubilee Gardens rising up against the sky it is difficult to think that at one point in the process it was just a mass of molten metal - about 3/4 of a ton in weight. The bronze was cast by the 'Lost Wax Process' in which the molten metal burns away a wax version of the sculpture, before it is finally cooled, 'coloured' and polished.
:: How bronze is cast
:: More about how the International Brigade memorial was made.
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The unveiling.
The International Brigade memorial was unveiled by Michael Foot on 5th October, 1985. It stands in Jubilee Gardens, on London's South Bank beside the Thames and not far from Westminsiter and Parliament buildings. Today it stands in the shadow of the London Eye
The inscription on the front reads: "INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE. In honour of over 2,100 men and women volunteers who left these shores to fight side by side with the Spanish people in their heroic struggle against fascism, 1936-1939"
The inscription on the reverse side of the plinth reads: "This memorial, unveiled by Michael Foot, 5th October 1985, was made possible by the support of many democratic organizations, individuals and the Greater London Council."
Photo to the left
Michael Foot talking to one of the Appeal Committee, Betty Birch before the unveiling. The monument is covered with a huge red banner which was pulled away to reveal Ian Walter's striking sculpture. Photo to left: published with permisson of Chris and Betty Birch.
Photo's below courtesy Wally Livingstone.
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"Their open eyes could see no other way."
:: The inscription cut into the right hand side of the plinth reads, "They went because their open eyes could see no other way." and is from the poem Volunteer by the poet C.Day-Lewis published in 1938 at the time of the war.
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"Yet Freedom! yet thy banner, torn, but flying..."
:: The inscription cut into the left side of the plinth is from Byron's 'Childe Harold's Pilgimage' and reads:
"Yet Freedom! yet thy banner, torn, but flying.
Streams like the thunder-storm against the wind."
Byron's poem was about the turmoil in Europe after the Napoleanic wars (19th century) and how many countries, including Spain, "...fight for freedom, who were never free;.
Read Byron's poem (which is very long indeed!) at Project Gutenberg; Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
You want 'Canto 4, Verse XCVIII'. (= part 4, verse 98)
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In Defence of Liberty
"In taking up arms against fascism, and by their heroic example, they inspired millions so that, when the nazi challeneg to Britain finally came, the people knew their eneemy and were ready to fight it."
"Salute the International Brigaders whose sacrifice inspired the world!"
From the introduction to the memorial brochure written by Solly Kaye one of the Appeal Committee who died in 2005. Read Solly Kaye's obituary
Photo to the left
The cover of the memorial brochure printed for the unveiling in 1985. Photo: published with permission of Marlene Sidaway.
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Heroes honoured
The Morning Star, Monday 7th October 1985, gives front page headlines to the unveiling of the International Brigade Memorial.
Image, courtesy Marx Memorial Library.
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The imagery of the memorial
Ian Walter's sculpture chimes with other artwork, both from the Spanish Civil War and from Classical antiquity; rather as Picasso's Guernica does. It's 'post-cubist' style is in keeping with the posters and graphic work of the time. The motif of a line of raised arms or a line of people is used in many posters to express solidarity and the idea that those supporting freedom come from a community that is a never-ending line of like spirits.
The raised fist of the Republican movement is a symbol in itself and was used throughout the period in posters as well as in real life by soldiers and the people of Spain and their supporters throughout the world representing solidarity in maintaining the ideals of democracy.
Miro, one of the great Spanish painters, created a poster, in 1937, requesting 'Aid for Spain'. It shows the raised fist salute of the Republicans, enlarged and emphasised - strong and resilient.
photo courtesy the Spaightwood Galleries, USA.
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The image of the fallen warrior is often represented in classical Greek and Roman art. Picasso made reference to it in his great painting about Guernica - which was a civilian town bombed by nationalist planes - in which the soldier is shown mutilated with a severed arm, palm up. In Walter's sculpture the fallen warrier has one hand severed leaving just a stump. In a strange echo of the sculpture itself, during the casting of the bronze, both the arms were sawn off and cast separately and re-joined again to the main body afterwards.
'The Dying Gaul'. Roman copy in marble of a lost Greek bronze. Wikipedia on the Dying Gaul.
Photo: http://freestockphotos.com
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The soldier in Picasso's Guernica mural is dead. One hand still clutches a shattered sword, the arm severed. The other hand is lies open similar to the soldier's hand in Walters' sculpture.
The soldier in 'Guernica' - the outdoor 'ceramic tile' version in Guernica. photo: Richard Thorpe.
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Nelson Mandela statue
His full length Nelson Mandela statue - 9 foot high - has been the centre of contoversaries about its siting. Originally it was hoped to have it sited in Traflagar Square though it has now been decided that it will be erected in Parliament Square in 2007.
In 2001 Walters travelled to South Africa to make a portrait of Nelson Mandela from life for the standing figure. Mandela sat for him, at his house in Qunu, for a total of nine hours. Mandela was pleased with the clay portrait bust and told him that he was the only artist to whom he had given so much time.
"When Nelson Mandela came to Bedford in 2000 to unveil my bust and inscription of Archbishop Trevor Huddleston (the former president of the Anti-Apartheid Movement), I had the opportunity to observe him closely for the first time. It was a moving and memorable occasion, marked by the intensity of the speech he made to the huge crowd filling the streets around him. As he turned so that everyone could face and hear him I saw the gesture with his arms and hands and in it the tension of making contact, I knew immediately it had the truth I sought to develop into a design for the statue." Ian Walters; quoted in London
Nelson Mandela and Ian Walters: photo courtesy London.gov.uk
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More on the Nelson Mandela memorial
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Controversary about the Mandela statue
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About Nelson Mandella
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Mandela unveiled!
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Nelson Mandela head.
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The head of Nelson Mandela made for 70th anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC) is outside the Royal Festival Hall, on London's South Bank.
Walters modelled the head, much larger than life-size, in 1982. A fibreglass copy was made and carried at ANC commemorative meetings in South Africa. The head was cast in bronze in 1985 and erected on the South Bank with the backing of the then GLC (Greater London Council). The head is much larger than life size and is on a high plinth so you have to look up at the face, as in the first photograph. Ian Walters has also made busts of two other key figures in the fight against apartheid: Oliver Tambo and Archbishop Trevor Huddleston. News Films of Trevor Huddleston in the British Pathe Archive: Films ID 551.09 and 1706.22; see also Soweto
In 2001 Walters travelled to South Africa to make the a portrait bust of Nelson Mandela from life for the standing figure. Mandela sat for him, at his house in Qunu, for a total of nine hours. Mandela was pleased with the clay portrait bust and told him that he was the only artist to whom he had given so much time.
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"The Struggle is My Life" is the inscription on plinth.
The phrase was the title of a statement by Mandela's in 1961. bannouncing his intention to carry on his work "underground", before his trial (1963) and imprisonment (1964).
Read 'The Struggle is my Life' 1961 press statement in the ANC archive.
Later the phrase was used as the title of Mandella's auto-biography.
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Fenner Brockway memorial
Fenner Brockway was an English journalist and politician - 1888-1988 - who was a pacifist during World War One, a supporter of independence for India and an activist during the Spanish Civil War and stood aganist apartheid.
Walter's statute of him is in Red Lion Square, London, and shows him standing, an open book in one hand and the other raised to the skies in an oratorial gesture.
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Sylvia Pankhurst memorial project
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'The Stone Bomb': the Anti-Abyssinian War Memorial
The Anti-Abyssinian War Memorial is in Woodford. It was erected as a protest against the Mussolini's invasion of Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia) in 1935/36. The monument depicts a bomb falling as the Italians used aerial bombing raids. It was from the confidence they gained here that they lent their support to Franco in Spain and sent planes to bomb civilian population and Republican troops alike.
The monument was a response by Slyvia Pankhurst and the sculptor Eric Benfield and is now in danger of being moved due to new building proposals.
:: About the monument, the sculptor and Slyvia Pankhurst Open Democracy.
:: Download article (pdf file): Open Democracy article.
:: The mounument appeal:
:: Details of the monument from the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association Recording Project: Image; and Details
"Image: Public Monuments and Sculpture Association National Recording Project".
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:: The British Pathe Archive has several films showing news items and clips about women's emancipation and the suffragettes such as the compilation Film ID 2261.01. There is also a fascinating film from 1958, showing Sylvia Pankhurst in Ethiopia, in a newly extended hospital. Sylvia Pankhurst had supported the cause of Ethiopia since Mussolini threatened invasion in 1936. Film ID 2924.15.
Slyvia Pankhurst in centre background. Photo: British Pathe; Film 2924.15, frame 60.
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Bronze Women monument project
Inspired by Cécile Nobrega and her poem Bronze Women Poem this is a project to create and erect a memorial statue as a lasting legacy to black women the world over. Walters gave his time free to this project and created a figure of a woman with her arms raised up holding a child aloft.
The Bronze Women statue is set to be sited in Stockwell, Lambeth. Stockwell community news
Cécile Nobrega has a vision of the statue as “a symbol of dignity that will stand as a continuous witness to historical truth...that the bronze woman of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe, built and contributed throughout the ages.” Cécile Nobrega, was born in Guyana (then British Guiana) in 1919, is a poet and
composer who worked as a teacher. She came to live in Britain in 1969, and has become an active member of the London Caribbean community. Cécile Nobrega autobiography
"You were no different when you laid with Massa Boss
Free or forced you knew there was no loss
Of favours - Food,
Food for the black and hungry brood
Mulato-Eurasion Child-money
Subsidised economy
Guaranteed a step away from want and need
A step away from toil and sweat - the heat of day"
Excerpt from Bronze Woman by Cécile Nobrega.
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Newsreel
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Hands
Walters used hands and the gestures they make as an important part of many of his sculptures - the International Brigade scultpture and the Fenner Brockway and Nelson Mandella memorials.
Other scultors who use the expressiveness of hands include Epstein and Rodin. There is a bronze sculpture in the millenium square in Leeds showing just a pair of outstrecthed hands.
Rodin, the great French sculptor, made a pair of 'hands', "like a cathedral"; you can see these in the British Pathe archive - film ID 2241.22; the film was made a few yaerds from the International Brigades monument in the Hayward Gallery during an exhibition of Rodin's sculpture in 1970.
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A sculpture with just arms and hands.
Both Arms is a sculpture in bronze by the Artist Kenneth Armitage. It stands 16 feet high in the Mandela Gardens in Millennium Square, Leeds. The new gardens were dedicated by Nelson Mandela in 2001 when he visited the city. The blue/green colour on the arms was made by chemical action on the bronze.
'Both Arms' by Kenneth Armitage: photos, M.Mateer.
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Acknowledgements
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International Brigades Memorial Trust.
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About and feedback
:: This material about Ian Walters and The International Brigades' London memorial is writtten and collated by Marshall Mateer. It was first published in 2006 and was updated on the 16th February 2007.
:: If you have any feedback please contact me at info@shapesoftime.net
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Shapes of Time
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Spanish Civil War
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