Art Review: The Bronze And The Beauty @ Sofitel St James

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 136 months ago
Art Review: The Bronze And The Beauty @ Sofitel St James
Daphne du Barry, Coca-Koala
Daphne du Barry, Coca-Koala
Daphne du Barry, Hermes
Daphne du Barry, Hermes
Daphne du Barry, The Death of Roland in Roncevaux
Daphne du Barry, The Death of Roland in Roncevaux
Daphne du Barry, The Fencer
Daphne du Barry, The Fencer
Daphne du Barry, Atlas
Daphne du Barry, Atlas

Hotel foyers are all about selling the luxurious qualities of the hotel to prospective customers, so it seems like the perfect setting to display works of fine art. Considering how well the Bronze exhibition at the Royal Academy is doing, it's timely of the nearby Sofitel St James to fill its interior with 50 bronze sculptures.

All are the work of Daphne du Barry and they can be found in the foyer, the overlooking balcony and even the corridors. We were told where they all were, and we're still not sure we caught all of them. Visitors can expect the same as they will discover more sculptures as they wander around the public areas of the hotel.

The works span 20 years of the artist's career and range from a hippopotamus to a girl hanging from a bar who swings with even the lightest touch from a passer-by. The artist believes that all sculptors should be able to create diverse works much like the Renaissance artists did. There are famous people represented including Juan Manuel Fangio in his Grand Prix-winning Mercedes and cute animals are also included such as the two koalas guzzling down Coca-Cola from a bottle.

Du Barry is clearly a very talented sculptress with a diverse portfolio exhibited in a fittingly luxurious setting.

The Bronze and The Beauty is on display at the Sofitel St James London, 6 Waterloo Place, SW1Y 4AN until 31 March. Entrance is free.

Last Updated 29 November 2012