Pangolin were delighted to welcome sculptor Stephen Hitchin and representative Art Pylkkänen to our foundry to discuss an exciting new project, enlarging one of Stephen’s stone carvings and producing it in bronze.
We have a variety of techniques for capturing sculpture digitally, but laser scanning was chosen for this project. Particularly effective for stone carvings, laser scanning captures millions of precise measurements, accurate enough for engineering tolerances, enabling us to reproduce the work to exact dimensions.
Once scanned, the data allowed us to visualise the sculpture at different scales, in various materials, and even on alternative plinths. Augmented reality proved invaluable here, letting the artist and gallery explore and agree on the final size before manufacturing began.
Although it’s possible to digitally alter an artwork at this stage, the enlargement required no modifications. The scan data was used to machine an enlargement in polyurethane using a 5-axis robotic milling machine. We selected a lightweight polyurethane, and coated with Chevant, enabling Stephen to refine the surface by hand.
Once both artist and gallery were satisfied with the machined form, the piece entered the foundry for the traditional bronze casting process. Meanwhile, Pangolin Digital continued to support the gallery with renderings of the work in its proposed location.
Photography courtesy of Steve Russell Studios
About the Artist
For over four decades, Stephen Hitchin has carved in stone and marble from his studio on the banks of the Mersey in Liverpool. His career includes numerous public commissions from major institutions such as the University of Liverpool, Unilever’s Merseyside Headquarters, and the Victoria Gallery.
In recent years, Stephen has focused on large marble sculptures, many now held in prominent private collections across Europe. His recent work often distils the movement, fluidity, and tidal rhythms of the River Mersey and the northern English coast.
Art Pylkkänen has formally represented Stephen Hitchin since 2024. Together, they have embarked on a series of long-term sculpture projects, the first of which launched in spring 2025.
‘Spirit of the Seas’
First conceived in Carrara marble in 2023, Spirit of the Seas was unveiled to the public in April 2025. This large-scale bronze stands at 2.5 metres in height, promising to make a powerful visual statement in any setting. Two bronzes have already been cast, with further editions available directly from Art Pylkkänen’s Project Manager, Chester Pylkkänen.
View more about Stephen Hitchin’s ‘Spirit of the Seas’
https://www.artpylkkanen.com/stephen-hitchin-spirit-of-the-seas
Photography courtesy of Steve Russell Studios