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This week all the national news services were reporting the unveiling of the sculpture and friezes of the late Queen Mother by Philip Jackson. Philip Jackson opened the King Edward’s School Vivartis Festival in 2007 and exhibited two of his striking Venetian influenced sculptures at the school. He was full of praise for the extensive and high quality sculpture trail that is an important part of the Festival and for the growing permanent collection of sculptures that King Edward’s has purchased.
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HRH was the President of Bridewell Royal Hospital (King Edward’s School Witley) for forty nine years and to commemorate her long and happy association with the school, local sculptor Nick Ashman was commissioned to produce a bust of the Queen Mother. Nick is a resident of Cranleigh and he has been sculpting for over twenty years. He is a member of the Surrey Sculpture Society and has been a consultant for the Vivartis Arts Exhibition for many years. Nick heard of the school’s desire to build a sculpture garden to celebrate the Queen Mother’s connection with the school and completed the sculpture several years ago. It is quite different in scale from the one unveiled in London and it captures the image of HRH towards the end of her long life and as she will be remembered on her last visit to the school. His sculpture captures her special twinkle and enjoyment of life.
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.During June of last year Sixth Formers and members of staff completed the construction of the ‘Queen Mother’s Garden’, a courtyard garden which included a raised terrace decking area and in the autumn plinths and sculptures were installed by Surrey Sculptors Maggie Butler, Martin Cundell and Mark Swan (King Edward’s Art department). The whole community now enjoys this very attractive area right in the heart of the school but pride of place is rightly reserved for the Queen Mother’s sculpture.
