George Wagstaffe
George Wagstaffe | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1939 (age 84–85) |
| Occupation | Artist
Sculptor Painter |
| Known for | The Phoenix
Coventry Cross Naiad |
George Wagstaffe (born 1939) is an English sculptor based in Coventry.[1] He is predominantly known for his three iconic pieces of public art for the redevelopment of Coventry City Centre in the 1960s such as the Phoenix in Hertfort Street, Naiad in the Upper Precinct, and his replica of the Coventry Cross outside Holy Trinity Church, which was temporarily removed in 2019,[2][3] before being reinstated in a more prominent location in 2023.[4]
Early life
George Wagstaffe was born in 1939
Works
The influence of destruction and devastation of the 1940 Blitz is expressed in George's works in the form of themes such as death, rebirth and resurrection. All of his works centers around the theme of brutality and fragility of life and nature, and the battles that life creates.[5]
Phoenix
Phoenix was commissioned in 1962 during the post-war reconstruction of Coventry, symbolizing the rebuilding of the city like a mythical Phoenix rising out of ashes.[6] It was unveiled in May 1962 by H.R.H. Princess Margaret and had the appearance of being under construction. The sculpture functions both as a memorial and as a symbol of rebirth and resurrection. It was changed from a bird to a young person to represent the new city and its people rising from the ashes of the burnt and bombed city. The sculpture was first made in resin and metal but later changed to bronze cast in 1987 after weather damage. It is currently located on Hertford Street on a brick plinth.[6][7]
Coventry Cross
The modern replica of Coventry Cross was funded by "The Coventry Boy Foundation", and commissioned after 1971 when the plans were discussed by the Coventry Civic Amenities Society (now the Coventry Society) and the Church authorities. It stood next to Holy Trinity Church, 100 metres away from the original site of the old cross. The sculpture was mainly made from cast ferro-concrete, making it different from the old cross.[8]
The replica had the height of 17.4 metres (57 feet), twenty niche with multiple figures and four diminishing sections. The top three sections were decorated with multiple statues. The bottom section had statues depicting kings such as Henry VI, John, Edward I, Henry II, Richard I and Henry IV[8] or Henry I.[9] The second row has figures of St. George, Edward III, St. John, St. Michael, Christ and Henry III, and boys holding pennons. The top section has figures of three saints - St. Christopher, St. James, and St. Peter, and three monks - a Benedictine, a Whitefriar and a Greyfriar with statues of a lion, bull, greyhound and dragon with pennons. The final lantern included 6 angels.[8] The cross was neither painted nor gilded.[9]
It was removed in 2019.[8] It is now being rebuilt on Broadgate, not far from its original location.
References
- ^ a b c d e f "George Wagstaffe". University of Warwick Art Collection. University of Warwick. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "Meet George Wagstaffe – Coventry's Best Known Sculptor". Coventry Society News. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "George Wagstaffe Retrospective". healing arts. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "Modern Coventry replica of ancient landmark unveiled". BBC News. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "About". georgewagstaffe. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d "About 2". georgewagstaffe. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "Phoenix - The Coventry Society". www.coventrysociety.org.uk. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Coventry Cross - The Coventry Society". www.coventrysociety.org.uk. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ a b Express, Britain. "Coventry Cross | History & Photos". Britain Express. Retrieved 20 May 2021.