Dublin 2019 Unveils Hugo Award Bases

1944 Retro Hugo Award and 2019 Hugo Award bases.

The 1944 Retro-Hugo Award base (left) and 2019 Hugo Award base (right) are on display at Dublin 2019. Thanks to Rich Lynch for the photo.

The 1944 Retro Hugo base was designed by Eleanor Wheeler. She is an architectural and sculptural ceramicist who has created large scale art for public spaces including at the Market Square in Armagh and the Gasworks, the Mater Hospital and Drumglass Park in Belfast.  She lives in County Down and has had numerous solo exhibitions, drawing on her travels locally as well as throughout Asia, Africa and Europe for inspiration.

The 2019 Hugo base was designed by Jim Fitzpatrick. Based in Dublin, he is famous for his Celtic art, in particular for his publications The Book of Conquests, The Silver Arm, The Children of Lir (with Michael Scott) and Erinsaga; and also for his album covers for Thin Lizzy and Sinéad O’Connor. Perhaps his best known work is his iconic 1968 portrait of Che Guevara.

5 thoughts on “Dublin 2019 Unveils Hugo Award Bases

  1. I swear I saw the retro Hugo base in a redesigned bathroom on a recent HGTV home design show. I know I didn’t like it then either.

  2. Those are gorgeous. But I wonder how heavy they are.

    Also, if someone successfully pulls the rocket from the Best Novel base, do they become High King?

  3. @Douglas Berry: Also, if someone successfully pulls the rocket from the Best Novel base, do they become High King?

    Wrong island.

  4. @Patrick Morris Miller

    I thought there might have been some franchising of the concept.

  5. I think each is beautiful. I held the 2019 award at the art exhibit and it wasn’t particularly heavy or unwieldy. The retro is significantly taller; I didn’t get a chance to pick it up, but it is probably a little more challenging to handle.

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