You’ve probably all been wondering what’s happening. But statues take time, and fundraising in a recession is a challenge.
Yet they're still being commissioned and unveiled. Last month, Irish boxer Deirdre Gogarty in Drogheda, by our shortlisted sculptor Laury Dizengremel. In Newport, Margaret Haig-Thomas, the Welsh campaigner for gender equality, sculpted by Jane Robbins. Plus the Queen, over in Antrim (how much did this cost the Borough Council, we wonder?).
Statues tell stories, focus ideas and kickstart conversations.
We believe more passionately than ever that now is the time for a statue of Emily Williamson, as the debate around biodiversity and birdlife grows more urgent.
We’ve got £23,000 in the pot so far, thanks to your crowdfunding and Andrew's sponsored bike ride. Not yet enough for a statue – but enough for our sculptor Eve Shepherd to make a start.
First, the birds.
Kingfisher, grebe, hummingbird, sparrow… hidden in Emily’s skirts are two dozen species, each with a conservation story to tell. Over the next few months, Eve will take us on journey as she researches and creates mini sculptures around each species.
‘I like to work from life. It helps me to study the mannerisms of each bird, how they move, walk and fly. This helps give them sculptural life. I also work from photos, and if possible, taxidermy as this helps with the anatomical accuracy.’
Hummingbird
She’ll be visiting:
• Manchester Museum’s natural history department – where Emily Williamson’s father-in-law, Dr William Crawford Williamson, became curator in 1835.
• The Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton: home to an extraordinary collection of Victorian taxidermy.
• Hastings, to collaborate with rising star ethical taxidermist Jazmine Miles Long.
Most importantly, she'll be visiting RSPB reserves to watch the birds in their natural habitat - like the puffins at Bempton Cliffs in early summer. Plus she'll be holding a series of bird sculpting workshops. Stay tuned!
The resulting 24 ceramic sculptures – essential to, yet independent from the final Emily piece – will be fired and sold individually to help with fundraising. ‘Prepare to be surprised’, says Eve. ‘I want to address the relationship between birds, their habitats and humans.’
Next month, Eve visits the Natural History Museum’s exhibition, ‘Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre’, for inspiration.
Thanks for reading! Crowdfunding continues at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emilywilliamsonrspb
Tessa & Eve
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