I missed the last forum and have been a little out of contact, but thankfully have been kept informed through our lovely Jed.
I have been busy working and have completed some commissions, including a memorial to Archbishop Worlock and Bishop Sheppard, two great men who steered Liverpool through a very difficult period of political unrest and sectarian differences in the 1980’s.
The artwork takes the form of two 4.5 m tall bronze doors, like the side panels of a triptych, and they sit on Hope street, a street that connects the Liverpool’s two great cathedrals.
The doors form a gateway encouraging the viewer to walk between, framing the views of the Roman Catholic and Anglican cathedrals. On the internal face of the doors the viewer stands in front of the life-size portraits of Worlock and Sheppard.
The viewer becomes the third person, at eye level in an inclusive relationship, standing on a third circular bronze plinth flush to the pavement.
The figures are touchable and through their gesture and stance establish a dialogue with the viewer. The empty third plinth could also be seen as being symbolic of Christ, the third person in their great friendship.
They are both dressed in their priestly robes which have a strong sculptural quality, with symbols of their lineage and anointing as bishops and clues to their distinctive traditions. Above them in low relief are Christ’s hands, as though he was standing on the central panel of the triptych.
On the other side of the doors, low-relief bronze symbols, text, and press cuttings tell the story of their respective lives and ministry, this places them in the context of the political and sectarian turmoil that they found themselves.
Memorials can be difficult for the contemporary sculptor, it is trying to catch something of who they were in their day, connecting to those that still hold them very dear, while offering something fresh and meaningful to future generations.
It also has to help establish a sense of place and identity in the streetscape, and City.
I certainly enjoyed the process of research and discovery, and also the crafting of the piece.
And especially the close relationship we as a family have forged with Grace, David Sheppard’s widow, who has been regularly staying with us at Harthill to help find the space to write a book on friendship.
I would be interested to hear your comments, and also examples of other peoples creative stories.