The William Bloye Mermaid at the University of Birmingham can be seen all over the university campus. She is part of the university crest, which in turn comes from the coat of arms designed for himself by Sir Josiah Mason, the self-made millionaire who founded the university.
In 1960, the University added the William Bloye Mermaid Fountain to the campus grounds, further cementing her status as the icon of the University of Birmingham. The location is the courtyard of the University of Birmingham Guild of Students building.
The university had commissioned the sculpture from William Bloye. He created it in bronze in 1960. Bloye was active in Birmingham as a sculptor since 1919. He was very involved in art across the city and created or contributed directly to more than 50 artworks, fountains, sculptures, bas-reliefs, emblems and statues during his career.
While the mermaid on the University crest and most other depictions of the mermaid show her holding a comb and a mirror, Bloye created the mermaid for the fountain in a pose with uplifted welcoming arms, and a single powerful tail lifting her out of the water.
See more information and images on the page dedicated to the University of Birmingham Mermaid.
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