WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“I didn’t know it was important until I saw it being restored!”
— Margaret E, East London
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“I didn’t know it was important until I saw it being restored!”
— Margaret E, East London
RECENT PROJECTS
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Leaning Woman statue
Before
After
The Leaning Woman Statue was commissioned by the London County Council in 1958, as part of a major post war arts scheme to improve public spaces for the people of London.
Its sculptor Dr Karel Vogel arrived in Britain from Prague in 1938. His pre-War work was conventionally classical, but like other artists of the time he began experimenting with industrial materials. The Leaning Woman was cast in concrete around a metal armature. Her floating appearance linked her surroundings 'in neo-classical calm with the swiftness of the fast modern world'.
In recent decades the sculpture had started to significantly deteriorate, with the iron armature protruding through the concrete. The statue was added to the Heritage At Risk Register in 2017.
Thanks to HOLT...
HOLT commissioned a condition survey in 2018 and brought all stakeholders together to help get the statue restored. A crowdfunding campaign with the local community in 2023 raised funds for restoration, which took place in 2024. HOLT led over 750 site visits and workshops for young people, including heritage skills training with conservators and creative workshops with young people from alternative provisions, young refugee groups, primary and secondary schools.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council have improved the landscaping and lighting around the site and an interpretation panel has been added.
The project won the 2024 Tom Ryland Award for Conservation.