Mary Wollstonecraft statue

Or maybe she just needs glasses!

I have nothing against this statue - art engenders different reactions from the viewer. I just do not think it works as a monument to someone famous.

Then I don’t understand what you’re trying to say about my post suziewoozie perhaps you can spell it out to me

suziewoozie

twitter.com/sueharrison123/status/1326557414506831877?s=21

MW seeing the statue for the first time

I love this! Have shared it with my family. Thanks

suziewoozie

Blinko you have spectacularly missed the point

I think rather that I've been misunderstood. In my first post I said that I didn't 'get' the nude statue in the context of Ms Wollstonecraft. In other words, I don't think it's appropriate.

My second post acknowledged that were nude statues of men around but that the examples I cited couldn't be compared with a commemorative piece to a real person.

I don't think I've missed the point at all.

Why was she depicted naked? Sexualises her and makes her look vulnerable. So wrong for the hero of women's rights. She was a strong, pioneering woman. Churchill wasn't portrayed naked.

Churchill wasn’t portrayed naked. Thank the Lord and bless the congregation!!

Frankie51

Why was she depicted naked? Sexualises her and makes her look vulnerable. So wrong for the hero of women's rights. She was a strong, pioneering woman. Churchill wasn't portrayed naked.

It isn't a statue of her apparently. If you read back over the thread you will see.

I read earlier the statue is wearing a tee shirt this morning. I think we can expect a variety of outfits in the coming weeks.

I understand the concept that this is is for Mary Wollstonecraft rather than of her, and I also understand that many who contributed to the cost are unhappy with the result.

I have no problem either with concept of the naked female form, Alison Lapper Pregnant was truly beautiful. Yes people are talking about the statue and therefore learning about Mary’s work as a Philosopher and educator, but I do not see it as a thing of beauty and when the immediate discussions about it have died down I can imagine people in the future saying “What on earth is that?” , assuming that they notice it at all.

I have no doubt the sculptor is happy with the result and feels that she has fulfilled her own vision, but personally I find it disappointing.

I was wondering do you suppose it's meant to be ironic? A woman who wanted women to be recognised as having brains and being capable of thought, worthy of education and the statue shows a naked almost pornographic image. It could be a concept of how far we have strayed from Mary's vision.

trisher, interesting idea but sadly, I don't think that's what the sculpture intended.
I like the idea of her with a t-shirt and no doubt a feather boa given the Christmas/New year festitives.
Gormley's steel men who live on the beach at Formby are always a joy over the Christmas period. One year there were a group of camp cowboys, chaps, hats with silver tinsel and feather boas.

Yes I think she will be covered in a variety of outfits as the months progress.

Maybe the knitters (male and female) could knit it some warm outfits til it's removed. It is not Mary Wollstonecraft - in my eyes

Don't like it.

UGH, NO! It's just wrong ...

trisher The sculptor, when asked, gave no hint of any irony.
Also, I'm sure those who commissioned and those who donated had no such idea in mind.

A letter in today’s Times draws an interesting comparison with the reaction in 1893 when the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain was unveiled in Piccadilly Circus. They too had expected a statue of the person memorialised, but instead of the Marquess they got what we now call the statue of Eros.

The idea of dressing up the statue reminded me of the Manneken Pis in Brussels who has frequent and well organised changes of clothing/costume. Perhaps a group could be formed to set this up like the Friends of the Manneken Pis.

Grumppa Interesting, but the difference is that Eros is pleasant to look at, but the other...........

I've now had a proper look at it.
It has no discernible features.
It really isn't very good at all.
What a wasted opportunity.
There will be many lesser known sculptors ripping their hair out about this.

Eros would have been a shock, though, if a likeness of a person was asked for and expected.

What point was the letter-writer making grumppa?
Surely it wasn't saying, as that happened in the past, we should all be fine with this ridiculous looking piece of sculpture?

I've always admired Wollstonecart's work but for me this isn't a fitting tribute to what she stood for and what she did for women.

Just my view but so sad. All that effort , time and money for what looks like so many other naked female forms :-(

I'm sure I'm missing the point - or maybe not.

allsortsofbags, If you are missing the point it seems you're in good company.

How many know that Eros is really the Shaftesbury memorial fountain? How many know who Shaftesbury was? At least Eros is a recognisable figure. This statue will neither remind people about Wollstonecraft nor be named .

Strikes me that the swirling+physical sculpture completely misses the overwhelmingly fierce analytical reasoning I’m finding in MW’s ‘Vindication’.

Glad to find myself looking for and at loved sculptures of women now though thanks to another gransnet thread