The Diver
Encyclopedia
The Diver is a sculpture
by John Kaufman located in the River Thames
at Rainham
, east London and is the only sculpture standing in the River Thames. The Diver is made of galvanised steel
bands on a steel frame and is 15 feet (4.6 m) tall and approximately 6 feet (1.8 m) wide and is partly submerged every high tide
and totally submerged by spring and neap tides.
The diver is constructed from (approx.) 300m of galvanised steel banding and 3000 nuts and bolts and weighs 3 tons. It is secured 26 feet (7.9 m) into the Thames mud and was installed at 3:30 am in order to avoid river traffic.
, East London. Inspired by prominent public artist Don Rankin to create his own piece of public art, John embarked on the Diver project in 1995. Initially he financed the project himself but later received funding from Cleanaway, a local refuse company. Receiving mentoring from Don Rankin, support from the Havering London Borough Council in the person of Adam Nardell and additional financial support from friend, John Bowyer, John was able to complete and site the statue in August 2000 in its current location.
The piece is inspired by Kaufman's own family history. His grandfather Friederich Johann Andreas Kaufmann was a diver in the London Docks
c. 1900. The sculpture stands as a monument to this man and all working men of the area who have worked in difficult and dangerous conditions.
Soon after the completion of the sculpture, John fell ill and died in 2002. After his death, a wake was held at the location of the sculpture with family and friends.
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
by John Kaufman located in the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
at Rainham
Rainham, London
Rainham is a suburban town in northeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Located east of Charing Cross, it is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan and is surrounded by a residential area, which has grown from the historic village,...
, east London and is the only sculpture standing in the River Thames. The Diver is made of galvanised steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
bands on a steel frame and is 15 feet (4.6 m) tall and approximately 6 feet (1.8 m) wide and is partly submerged every high tide
Tide
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun and the rotation of the Earth....
and totally submerged by spring and neap tides.
The diver is constructed from (approx.) 300m of galvanised steel banding and 3000 nuts and bolts and weighs 3 tons. It is secured 26 feet (7.9 m) into the Thames mud and was installed at 3:30 am in order to avoid river traffic.
History
John Kaufman (1941–2002) was a self-taught sculptor living and working in the London Borough of HaveringLondon Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is a London borough in North East London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in Havering is Romford and the other main communities are Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. The borough is mainly characterised by suburban development with large...
, East London. Inspired by prominent public artist Don Rankin to create his own piece of public art, John embarked on the Diver project in 1995. Initially he financed the project himself but later received funding from Cleanaway, a local refuse company. Receiving mentoring from Don Rankin, support from the Havering London Borough Council in the person of Adam Nardell and additional financial support from friend, John Bowyer, John was able to complete and site the statue in August 2000 in its current location.
The piece is inspired by Kaufman's own family history. His grandfather Friederich Johann Andreas Kaufmann was a diver in the London Docks
London Docks
The London Docks were one of several sets of docks in the historic Port of London. They were constructed in Wapping downstream from the City of London between 1799 and 1815, at a cost exceeding £5½ million. Traditionally ships had docked at wharves on the River Thames, but by this time, more...
c. 1900. The sculpture stands as a monument to this man and all working men of the area who have worked in difficult and dangerous conditions.
Soon after the completion of the sculpture, John fell ill and died in 2002. After his death, a wake was held at the location of the sculpture with family and friends.
Location
The sculpture is sited in the River Thames in Rainham, East London. It can be reached from the Ferry Lane Industrial area and Coldharbour Lane. The car park is found by passing the Tilda rice warehouse.External links
- www.thediversculpture.com - Official Sculpture Website
- www.mylondondiary.co.uk - Image of sculpture
