William James Bloye Sculptor.

William James Bloye (1890 - 1975)

Was a prolific sculptor who was responsible for a great many of the public sculptures we see around Birmingham. Although born in Cornwall he seems to have spent most of his working life in Birmingham.

He worked on practically every public building in Birmingham and his workshops were in Golden Hillock Road Small Heath. Just walk around the city centre today and occasionally “look up” you will see his work everywhere.

It seems that Bloye was no snob when it came to art. He was just as much at home working on a civic sculpture as he was working on a pub sign of which he did many.

Here is a photo of the man himself at his studio working on one of his most famous works. That of Boulton, Watt & Murdoch, which stood outside Birmingham Registrars office until it was taken away for some remedial works. The registrar’s office has now gone but the sculpture has been returned.

Phil

Interesting Phil.

Here are a couple of Bloye's pub signs. One is The Bear on Stratford Rd at Sparkhill. The other is a pub that has now been replaced by a Supermarket The Fox Hollies. I suppose the sign was consigned to some tip somewhere.

Phil

That's an interesting post Phil, we see many of these statues etc but rarely have a clue about the artist. Thanks, maybe there may be more info around about other City works of Art. It would be a worthwhile thread. SB

A few more of Bloye's more classical works,

Terpsichore the Muse of Dance commissioned by Cadbury's for their 100th anniversary 1831 - 1931.

The Mermaid Fountain, Students Union Birmingham University 1960.

Allegories of Art & Industry BMAG Feeney Gallery Great Charles St 1919.

Phil

That's one talented guy Phil

Wikipeadia has an interesting page showing many of his local works.
I hope someone is keeping an eye on them, a few may already be gone whilst others are under threat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bloye