Martin Jennings, one of the UK’s foremost sculptors, has just been awarded a rather dream commission. 29 Monument commissioned He will sculpt a statue to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth II. This of course was the choice of the Queen Elizabeth II memorial committee. They appreciated Jennings for his large body of public art work and his sensitivity to the importance of this unusual commission.
Jennings is perhaps best known for his past projects, like the statue of the author and journalist George Orwell that he installed in 2017. The Orwell statue is among several notable pieces that highlight his ability to capture the essence of character in public art. Jesse Jennings’ other important works include a bust of the Queen Mother, now proudly displayed in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. He’s produced a statue of Hull’s favourite son poet Philip Larkin, and the “Women of Steel” memorial in Sheffield. He was responsible for the statue of Mary Seacole in St Thomas’s Hospital, that was unveiled in 2016. On top of that, he created the statue of Sir John Betjeman at St Pancras International rail station.
She’ll be gazing out across London from her perch atop the new statue in St James’s Park. This stunning venue continues to charm millions of guests visiting London annually. This environment should make the statue more visible as a memorial to the departed monarch.
In expressing his excitement about the project, Jennings stated, “I am elated to have been invited to make the sculpture of Queen Elizabeth.” He spoke about wanting to honor her legacy with an artwork that would really connect with the public.
“She was loved and admired across the globe for her steadfast devotion to duty, borne with grace, decency and restraint. The monument must not only reflect the grandeur of its setting but be an object of delight to its countless visitors in years to come.” – Martin Jennings
Robin Janvrin, who is associated with the memorial committee, remarked on Jennings’ appointment: “We felt he had a very sensitive understanding of the significance of this unique commission and we were impressed by Martin’s previous work and his ability to capture the essence of character in public works of art.”
The sculptor said he wants to reflect Queen Elizabeth II’s toughness in his design. He described her as “marching defiantly forward into an oncoming wind, as if confronting head-on some of the personal resistance she had constantly to battle.” This new artistic vision is a reflection of both her own struggles and human frailty with age, but her steadfast focus on her service as queen.
Preparations for the new statue’s creation sculpture are just getting underway. Going forward, Jennings will have the tough task of proving his reputation as a sculptor who intimately connects with historical figures again and again. His previous projects were lauded for their rich detail and emotional resonance. This ambitious new project has to have an impact that carries on well beyond this generation, too.
