‘Paradise’ artwork is gift to town from renowned sculptor
Dante sculpture by newly announced freeman of Chichester
A statue of Dante finding Paradise is set to appear in Midhurst in the coming months.
Cocking-based sculptor Philip Jackson is gifting a bronze-cast sculpture to the town with plans for it to be placed in Market Square because, to the artist, ‘Midhurst is Paradise’.
The statue’s subject matter is Dante’s quest for paradise as mentioned in his Divine Comedy.
Vice-chairman of The Midhurst Society, Harvey Tordoff, said he had approached Philip ‘with great trepidation’ asking to borrow a fibreglass model for display in the town.
He reportedly turned the society down but offered one his bronze sculptures.
Mr Tordoff said: “The town council and I were looking at ways to improve Midhurst for first time visitors.
“It is a big thing for Midhurst. Midhurst is a wonderful place to live.”
Mr Jackson said: “The sculpture is of Dante having found paradise and I do agree with him – it’s a lovely town.”
The maquette for the sculpture has been completed. Lockdown measures mean the finished piece will be unveiled in the coming months once the foundry reopens and planning permissions have been approved.
Mr Jackson added: “It would be nice to have a lot of people there but at the moment that just wouldn’t be possible.”
The sculptor received more acclaim this week as he was named as a recipient of the Freedom of the City of Chichester.
He was the artist behind the cathedral’s sculpture of St Richard, as well as many other works gaining him acclaim all over the world.
He said: “It’s a great honour. I knew they were putting my name forward and I heard about three days ago that it had been passed – I’m delighted. It doesn’t happen to many people and I am thrilled that it should come my way.”
Mayor of Chichester Richard Plowman said: “It is absolutely brilliant. I think everybody knows him and his international work.
“It is really for the support that he has given to Chichester.
“He has been very encouraging for other artists and supportive of the cathedral and the Oxmarket and giving talks for free so it is really very well deserved.”
Mr Plowman added: “Isn’t it good to have some good news and it will be good for the morale of the people of Chichester to celebrate our culture.”
He said the city council hopes to hold a ceremony at the cathedral depending on the state of the pandemic.
“We have got a date for April but it all depends on what happens before then but whatever it is it will be special.”
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