As part of Avant Arte's public art programme, artist Tschabalala Self collaborated with Factum Arte on the creation of her first public work. 

The large bronze sculpture started from a drawing by the artist, who closely worked with Factum Arte's 3D sculptor Irene Gaumé to rematerialise it as a three-dimensional piece. The first 3D print was made at a smaller size (60cm-tall) and painted by the artist, with the aim of incorporating the painted traces left by the brush on the surface of the final bronze sculpture. After scanning the maquette using photogrammetry, a custom-made paint brush texture was created and mapped over the 3D model, which was scaled to the final size of 2,40m in height, and sent to Fademesa Foundry in Madrid for casting. 

Mediating the 2D nature of Tschabalala's drawing into a physical three-dimensional piece also meant incorporating part of Tschabalala's visual language into the final result, and working side by side with the artist, her inspirations and previous works. Details such as the dark outline painted over the maquette's shape had to be translated into a 3D visual, and the colour palette of the sculpture needed to be considered and matched to the patinated bronze. 
The plinth was inspired by a small painted sculpture in possession of the artist. 

Standing 3 metres high, Seated uses an everyday object as an entry point for questions of permission and performance. Placing the work in a public space cements these ideas. For the artist, in its escape from domestic space the chair becomes a stage. Its sitter – poised, immaculately dressed, glancing to her left – emboldens onlookers to sit with confidence and comfort.
– from Avant Arte's website

The sculpture will be unveiled on Wednesday 5th October and will remain open until early 2023. A series of 25 smaller-scale editions of Seated also made by Factum Arte are available on avantarte.com.

Taking a seat is a universal act of leisure and calm. I wanted to create a monumental sculpture for the public that spoke to this simple joy. The woman is strong, beautiful and self-possessed. She represents all individuals, but women in particular, who understand the power and importance of simple gestures that assert their right to take up space.
– Tschabalala Self

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