An original piece of mine is being considered for the Ellesmere Sculpture Trail, to commemorate the centenary of the ‘Save the Children’ charity – founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb (an Ellesmere resident), with the support of sister Dorothy Buxton.
As Clare Mulley describes in her biography of Eglantyne Jebb, in April 1919, 2 women stood in Trafalgar Square: Eglantyne Jebb, and Barbara Ayrton Gould (young secretary of the Women’s League and a seasoned Suffragette).
They were distributing leaflets showing the ravages of famine on small children, the victims of war. Standing alone, these women attempted to appeal to the war weary, indifferent, and often hostile public, showing compassion for the displaced and starving children of Europe. Arrested later that day, Eglantyne would have depended on the support of her comrade.
The same bond existed with her remarkable sister Dorothy Buxton, as they spread their message through speaking tours of the influential drawing rooms of London. These women were able to achieve astonishing things because they stood shoulder to shoulder as sisters; and this is what I wish to acknowledge in my sculpture – to convey not how they would have looked, but how they felt.
As I began to research these remarkable women, I immediately knew the sculpture I wished to build. My sculptures are inspired by found natural forms that initially attract my attention: I have produced a series of initial studies, from forms found in the split kindling used for fire lighting. One of these (originally entitled ‘Twins’) is the basis for my proposed sculpture, ‘The Sisters.’
If commissioned, this sculpture will be built at approximately 2.3 metres in height, moulded and then cast in High Alumina Cement, in situ, by April 2020. This is the same process used to create my original work ‘Trilogy,’ as can be seen in my recent/ongoing posts and updates.
NICK EAMES 