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Ulster Bank gifts Belfast’s ‘flying figures’ to Ulster Museum
Ulster Bank has gifted an internationally significant piece of public art in Belfast to the national collection.
Frink Sculptures
Ulster Museum Collection, BELUM.U2023.12.1 & .2
Original title ‘Airborne Men’ now known as ‘Flying Figures’, 1964
Aluminium
Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993)
These iconic sculptures were commissioned from Elisabeth Frink (1930 –1993) in 1962, to be affixed to the façade of the Ulster Bank building that was then under construction in Shaftsbury Square, Belfast. The sculptures were unveiled on the opening of the building in 1964. In 2023, Ulster Bank ended its connection with the building and so decided to gift the sculptures to the national collection, with the aim of ensuring that the public can continue to have access to these internationally important works. Plans are now in development to display the sculptures at the Ulster Museum.