Whilst for some this year has been quiet for Christine Charlesworth SWA MRSS, this year has been her most productive year ever:
In January it was confirmed that Christine had won a major commission for Woking, a one-and-quarter life-size portrait figure of the composer, explorer, writer and suffragette Dame Ethel Smyth. She produced the maquette figure during the first lockdown. The large bronze figure will be unveiled in May 2021, Christine is in the process of making the mould for this figure, with delivery to the foundry by the end of this month. Due to lockdown Christine is doing the mould herself rather than having the foundry visit.
Christine had already received a commission to produce a larger-than-life size portrait figure of Emily Wilding Davison for Epsom and was awaiting the final funding before starting work on the larger figure, having already produced the
maquette. She had confirmation to begin in June and decided that Emily would be the first one made as the seated figure was needed for unveiling by 8th March this year (unfortunately, due to Covid this has been delayed to 8th June). Christine completed this artwork and mould-making, and it is being cast at the foundry. NB A series of videos have been made of her working on this sculpture, including all the work making the mould and casting at the foundry. There are 4 videos to see on emily davison memorial project on Facebook, YouTube and other social media channels.
At the beginning of March, Christine was one of three shortlisted sculptors, to attended Winchester University to give a presentation for a potential commission of
a sculpture of Greta Thunberg. In June it was confirmed that she had won this commission. Christine had to wait until September before she could proceed with this work. The sculpture was completed just before Christmas and is now being cast at the foundry ready for unveiling at the end of March.
Due to Covid Christine was unable to have any assistant working with her in the studio and could not use a model, just various photographs taken prior to the arrival of Covid. Added to this we should also mention that Christine and her husband’s daughter, who is learning disabled and lives in supported living, had to move back to live with us during both lockdowns. This led to Christine’s workhours being rather stretched and therefore spread over 7 days a week. But Christine’s supportive husband played his part and has done all food shopping and most of the cooking, which has allowed Christine to be able to work.
We can’t wait to see the Unveiling of all these works this year!