Taking Art to the Mountain

In the true spirit of an eccentric Englishman's adventure, sculptor Oliver Barratt will be taking his latest commission in stainless steel 15000 feet up Mount Everest.

Fifty years after the first successful expedition to conquer the world's highest mountain, Oliver's sculpture will commemorate all those who have followed but given their lives to the mountain.

Sponsoring this extraordinary expedition is Nikwax Fabrics, whose unique directional fabrics make their sister company, Paramo, a leader in lightweight, functional clothing for all outdoor activities.

During the expedition the team will need protection from the inside out. Heaving heavy lumps of metal into place will no doubt result in a lot of bodily moisture. Nikwax Fabrics worn next to the skin will direct this moisture away from the skin to help maintain a constant temperature, whilst the outer layer prevents rain or snow getting through.

Comfort and flexibility are going to be crucial to the morale of the enthusiastic expedition team, which includes a journalist from the Times, a photographer from The Guardian, a film crew as well as a team of 23 Sherpas

Managing Director of Nikwax, Nick Brown, feels this could be the ultimate test for his garments. “We are convinced the Nikwax Directional Fabric Systems used in our Páramo garments will be up to the job and look forward to the feedback from Oliver and his team.”

On a more serious note, Brown explains the motivation behind sponsoring this project. “Everest Extreme Art expedition represents much of why I started this business. At Nikwax and Páramo we push the boundaries of technical development which in turn helps individuals to go beyond their personal boundaries.

Oliver is going out of his comfort zone and has made a huge personal commitment to this exciting project. He will make his mark while supporting the Everest Memorial Trust, putting something back into a community whose land is enjoyed internationally. I admire the ethos behind this artistic statement and it is one of the most interesting activities happening on Everest this year”.

The memorial sculpture, commissioned by The Everest Memorial Trust, called ‘Broken Whole' will consist of a single 2.5 metre stainless steel cone split vertically down the centre. The two halves will be placed 70 cms apart and the names of each of the 174 climbers who have died tackling this ultimate climbing challenge will be engraved on the interior flat surface of the cone.

The sculpture has been constructed in the UK and transported to Nepal in 15 boxes. Arriving in Nepal on 28th March the expedition will take 5 days to carry the sculpture to Pheriche, a place that all trekkers and climbers pass through on their way to Everest base camp.

Taking 4 days to assemble the sculpture will, in Oliver's words, “shine and glint in the sun to be seen from any point in the valley, reflecting and transposing the ever-changing light onto its surfaces, drawing in the mountains of the Khumbu valley into itself.' The team are due back in the UK on 16th April.

The Everest Memorial Trust was established in 1995 to undertake new environmental, health and education projects within the Solu Khumbu region in Nepal. The main focus of their work is in the hospital in Pheriche, which provides a crucial service for mountaineers and local people alike.

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