THE VIRTUES1999

Richard Whittington founded the original Guildhall library and in the medieval tradition four statues of women representing the biblical and platonic virtues adorned its facade. Four of the five niches on the new building were to house the same theme LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY. I designed the two figures opposite both depicting charity. The first figure (bottom) attempted to mirror the angular feeling of the building .  I then became  more interested in the idea of communicating with children through a story and so created a carved cartoon. The four frames show a young girl learning to let go of her own pet bird and finding that in doing so she can love all  of nature. I wanted to give children a prominent position in the building and give a simple explanation of the sacrificial nature of love.

Finally the brief was changed and I withdrew from this part of the project and no sculptures were made. We can benefit so much from the simple faith of children and I have taken every opportunity  since to demonstrate this.

Below;: preliminary sketches and ideas