Testa Addormentata Igor Mitoraj

Images of Britain: Testa Addormentata Sculpture, Canary Wharf, London

Testa Addormentata, a 1983 bronze sculpture by Igor Mitoraj is one of three by the artist on display at Canary Wharf. — Testa Addormentata, a 1983 bronze sculpture by Igor Mitoraj is one of three by the artist on display at Canary Wharf

The bronze statue Testa Addormentata by Polish artist and sculptor Igor Mitoraj in Canary Wharf in east London was unveiled in 1983.

Mitoraj (1944-2014) is best known for his monumental bronze sculptures that blend classical forms with a contemporary aesthetic. Mitoraj's work often drew inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art, as well as from the Renaissance period.

After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland, Mitoraj continued his artistic education in Paris, where he became deeply influenced by the city's vibrant art scene. Throughout his career, he experimented with various materials, including bronze, marble, and terracotta, to create sculptures that reflected his fascination with the human form.

Mitoraj gained international recognition for his larger-than-life sculptures characterized by fragmented and weathered surfaces, giving them an ancient, archaeological quality. His works often featured colossal heads and torsos, exploring themes of mythology, beauty, and the passage of time. One of his notable series included sculptures of fallen angels, exploring the juxtaposition of strength and vulnerability.

The statue is on Bank Street, Outside West Wintergarden.