Potteries Museum unveils a guardian of the Staffordshire Saxon Hoard a 9 foot Saxon Warrior by Andy Edwards + Pics
Last night Hanley's Potteries Museum unveiled it's latest exhibit to a packed foyer of honoured guests. The Statue, entitled The Saxon Man is a companion statue for the Staffordshire Hoard exhibit at the museum which has so far attracted over 1/2 a million visitors in both the UK and the States.
The £25,000 statue funded by Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been created by Blurton-born artist Andy Edwards with the help of two apprentices from Apsire Group's PM Training.
Martin Tideswell said during the even's showcase
"The idea is a simple one, to create a iconic piece of pubic art, a Saxon warrior and to harness the incredible potential of the Saxon hoard."
Martin goes on to explain the concept of the Staffordshire Saxon was dreamt up by deputy editor of the Sentinel in a pub one night, and shared with colleges. Andy Edwards (the artist) knowledge, skill and enthusiasm turned Richards concept into the warrior statue that now proudly stands guard in the foyer of the Museum.
The event launch was sponsored by Wedgwood, and was unveiled by Mayor Terry Fellows.
Councillor Follows said:
“I’d like to thank Andy Edwards and his apprentices for creating such a unique and striking statue. It is the perfect complement to the Hoard, and fitting to be associated with our summer exhibition, which is set to be the biggest and best display of the treasure yet. Museum staff are busy putting the finishing touches to the new exhibition which will feature new interpretation of the treasure and interactive displays.”
Councillor Mark Meredith, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development, said:
“The statue adds another dimension to the stunning artefacts on display in the museum. It brings to life the intricately designed gold sword pommels, helmet fragments and knife fittings, by showing how a 7th Century battle-clad warrior would have looked wearing them.
“It is fantastic that apprentices have learned skills to help craft the statue, and hopefully they can go on to put those skills to further use in the future. The council’s investment in the statue is a sign of our commitment to displaying the treasure in the best possible way and it will be an attraction in its own right to bring people into the city.”
Sentinel Editor-In-Chief Mike Sassi said:
“The Staffordshire Saxon is a wonderful piece of art and makes a great statement about the city’s intent to harness the potential of the Staffordshire Hoard. I look forward to welcoming Sentinel readers to this exclusive preview.”
In this time of great finically austerity, things never looks so grey, so dull when times tough. This statue makes things look bright, more interesting, a more inspirational place which is why Stoke-on-Trent City Council deserve full credit for commissioning this statue
SHARE
More like this
- 1 of 2
- ››
Comments
I know people are going to
I know people are going to critise the council, but I see their objectives here. They are spending money to make money, and money from tourism can return back big time.
As to the actual statue.
It's good.It's really good. It's amazing. The level of detail thats on there is fantastic. From the bog brush ontop of the wild boars head, down to the chain mail. During the opening night a video was shown of Andy and his two apprentices (valuable skills learnt for this pair it has to be said) putting the statue together. First building it in clay through to casting. It's not just art this is a work of skill as well.If you've not been to the museum for a few years this is one reason to go and see it.
Andy Edwards - creator of various Stanley Matthews staues in the area building the Muhammad Ali statue
Now thats what I call a
Now thats what I call a statue not a waste of time at all, not like some of the objects you get around the city that need thinking about as to what they are and why they are there, as they say "It does what is says on the tin" one look and you have got the meaning of the whole thing. I also can see the point of this statue especialy in the forhtcoming weeks with the Olympic Torch going to the museum it will advertise the fact that the Staffordshire Hoard is due back there is the summer and hopefully we will get lots of visitors to the museum again.
Post new comment