Paolozzi restored at The QEIICC

The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre (QEIICC), London’s most prestigious purpose built centre for professional meetings and events, is restoring its famous wooden sculpture, “On this Island” by Eduardo Paolozzi throughout August. The artwork is an unusual and thought provoking 6 × 5 metre constructed pine relief inspired by the music of the composer, Benjamin Britten.

The sculpture, on display in the third floor Benjamin Britten Room overlooking Westminster Abbey, will be undergoing conservation to restore it to its original state. The work will include cleaning, full repair and a completely new lighting scheme to show the work to its best advantage.

The project is being led by the Government Art Collection (GAC) who originally commissioned “On this Island” from the sculptor in 1986, and will be undertaken by Plowden and Smith Conservation and the lighting consultancy, Lightwaves.

The sculpture was relocated within the Benjamin Britten room in July 1997 with the artist himself overseeing the move. The work will return the QEIICC’s famous sculpture to its original condition.

Ernest Vincent, Chief Executive at The QEIICC comments: “The Paolozzi is a feature we are very proud to have at The QEIICC. The painstaking conservation work being undertaken; the change in lighting and new protective rail visitors will once again get the chance to appreciate the sculpture in its full glory.”

Andrew Parratt, a curator at the Government Art Collection comments: “The Paolozzi sculpture was created specifically for The QEIICC but over time has been neglected. This restoration will give visitors the opportunity to experience this important work as the artist intended.”

“On this Island” was created by Eduardo Paolozzi in 1986 and is one of many of his works which include the ‘Piscator’ sculpture outside London Euston train station, the mosaic pattern walls of Tottenham Court Road tube station and his sculpture of Newton in the courtyard of the British Library.