Facts about the prize statuette

The prize statuette for The Publishing Prize was designed by Petter Antonisen, who is a freelance graphic designer and art director.

The statuette is made of steel. Through electrolysis the surface is covered by a layer of copper, whereupon the statuette is patinated by Stockholm sculptor Bo Andersson. One of his specialities is metallic works of art. Through various surface treatments, he creates unique colors on the metal.

 

FROM SHEET STEEL TO STATUETTE:

 

1 A water jet under very high pressure cuts the statuette from a piece of sheet steel. The beam is controlled by software that uses Petter Antonisen’s model outline.

 

2 The high pressure of the one millimeter wide water jet makes it easy to cut through the 25 millimeter thick steel plate. The even thicker plate of The Publishing Prize Grand Prix is cut just as easily.

 

3 When the raw steel pieces have arrived at artist Bo Andersson’s workshop north of Stockholm, his first action is using a rotary sander to tackle the most serious irregularities.

 

4 With a metal file Bo Andersson then smoothes the remaining sharp edges. Now the statuette is ready for electroplating with copper.

 

5 The rust is gone. The statue is smooth and clean. It is now ready to be plated with copper.

 

6 The statuette is immersed in a bath. The copper atoms migrate from a piece of copper through the liquid in the bath and stick to the steel surface. The balls on the liquid surface are there to reduce evaporation.

 

7 After about 25 minutes of electroplating the copper layer is thick enough.

 

8 The surface of the steel is entirely covered with copper. Now several hours of patination work remain.

 

9 The copper-plated statuette is brushed with hydrochloric acid for the upcoming patination.

 

10 After a number of hours in ammonia vapour, the statuette has received its muted tones.

 

11 The statuettes are now ready for the prize ceremony. Patination is individual, and each statuette unique – no winner receives a statuette that is exactly like anyone else’s.

 

PHOTOS 1–11: Petter Antonisen