Despite the dreadful weather on Friday 24 January and the less than positive coverage in that week’s Chichester Observer, Seaward were delighted by the enthusiastic turnout for the unveiling of an impressive new bronze statue entitled ‘Nurture’ commissioned for its mixed-use development at The Square in Chichester.
The statue is the work of local sculptor, Neil Lawson Baker. Neil is well-known in the area for his support of the arts and efforts to promote Chichester as a City of Culture. The recent successful Street Art Festival was one of Neil’s projects and brought many visitors into the city to view the artists’ amazing work. He is also the Chairman of the prestigious National Open Art Competition which Seaward has been proud to support over a number of years.
Seaward’s Chairman, Barry Sampson, has lived in Chichester all his life and was keen for the sculpture selected for The Square to be designed by a local artist. ‘Nurture’ is from the Ballhead series of sculptures which are simple in design and take their influence from Henry Moore. They are contemporary works with an imposing presence. One of the world’s leading sculpture enlargers, Richard Clarke, works locally in Donnington and collaborated with Neil to enlarge the sculpture ready for the famous Pangolin foundry to cast in bronze and patinate Richard worked with the late Dame Elizabeth Frink and enlarged the Damien Hirst figure which, at 60 feet high, was housed in the Royal Academy forecourt for The Summer Exhibition two years ago.
Barry says “one of the reasons I was particularly keen to commission this particular sculpture was that it reflects my long involvement in the care business looking after children in care and children with Autism and Aspergers.”
Following the unveiling the support from the public for this new sculpture has been very encouraging.