Iron: Man
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Iron: Man (colloquially referred to as The Iron Man) is a statue by Antony Gormley, in Victoria Square, Birmingham, England.
Cast at Bradley and Fosters Castings (now Firth Rixson Castings) in Willenhall, it was erected in 1993 and was a gift to the City from the Trustee Savings Bank, being erected outside the former Head Post Office, which was then their headquarters. It was controversial initially and remains so to some degree. When the bank relocated its head quarters to Bristol, some in Birmingham at the time felt the statue should be relocated or removed although, as it was originally a gift to the city, it was left in place.
It is said by the sculptor to represent the traditional skills of Birmingham and the Black Country practised during the Industrial Revolution. In the picture you can see raised edges where the different sections of the air-set mould joined. These are common and are usually removed after the casting process. It was said that Anthony Gormley actually asked for them to remain, as it added character.
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