Excellence in Galvanizing
A bespoke sculpture created by artist-blacksmith Katie Ventress, and galvanized by the team at Humber Galvanizing Ltd, part of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, was awarded first place in the Art category by the judges of the annual Galvanizing Association’s Galvanizing Awards. The awards ceremony, this year held at the Royal Aeronautical Society, London, celebrates the very best of galvanizing and its role in the construction industry.
Four judges reviewed hundreds of entries across six categories: architecture, engineering, sustainable, detail, duplex systems and art awards.
Katie’s sculpture was commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of Boulby Mine in Yorkshire. It’s predominately made from mild steel and was sent to Humber Galvanizing where it was hot dipped in molten zinc in three separate parts and later bolted together. Due to it being installed next to the mine, and its purpose as a bench for people walking along the Cleveland Way public footpath, it was crucial that it was protected against corrosion.
Katie said: “This was the first time that my work was to be permanently installed in a public space, and so it was vital to me that it was protected for future generations to enjoy.
“In order to do this, I sought the support from Humber Galvanizing, with whom I have worked on a number of projects over the past years. Having been up against other fantastic artists, I am both shocked and thrilled to have been named the winner of the Art category at the GAGA awards. It is a hugely prestigious event in the industry calendar, celebrating the power of the galvanizing process – and I’d like to say a huge thank you to the team at Humber for their help in making this award possible.”
Boulby Mine is the UK’s deepest working mine and the first worldwide to commence commercial production of a rare mineral typically used as fertiliser - polyhalite. To commemorate this, the owners of the mine, (ICL Boulby), commissioned the piece to immortalise the mine and showcase the life underground for past, present, and future miners to enjoy.
The sculpture is a replica of the ‘Bait Tables’ which can be found at the bottom of the mine, where miners eat lunch and hold meetings.
Photo Credit - @rick_hilley
By Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd