Sculptor announced for Jack Leslie statue outside Home Park
Liverpool based artist Andy Edwards will create it
Exactly one year after the launch of a our Crowdfunder appeal, the Jack Leslie Campaign have announced the sculptor who will create a statue of Jack Leslie, to be situated outside Plymouth Argyle's stadium, Home Park.
After careful consideration, including thorough interviews of the four shortlisted candidates, the Campaign can now confirm the successful artist as Andy Edwards.
Edwards is a renowned sculptor, with a wealth of experience in delivering iconic sporting statues.
Examples of his work include:
- the acclaimed “Clough/Taylor” statue at Derby County’s Pride Park
- the Notts County legends Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler at Meadow Lane
- the highly regarded sculpture of Stanley Matthews at Stoke City
Andy’s work also includes statues of The Beatles, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, and civil rights campaigner and slavery abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Andy works primarily in Liverpool, but he has pledged to use web-cams and social media to document his progress.
This means that supporters of the Crowdfunded statue can watch it’s progress, wherever they are in the world.
Andy will be visiting Plymouth shortly to look at the location, meet the Campaign Committee and, of course, to take in an Argyle match.
On hearing the news of his selection, Andy said:
"I am eternally grateful and very excited to have been chosen to work with the devoted members of the Jack Leslie statue group, the proud fans of Plymouth Argyle Football Club and the wider football community in furthering all of our appreciation of a real legend of the game, and a man whose story can still affect change nearly 100 years on.
"I hope to create a statue of peerless quality celebrating excellence, that will also represent respect, dignity, devotion and invigorate the quest for equal rights for all. To everyone who has given their support and backing to this initiative, I will not let you down."
Campaign co-founder Greg Foxsmith said:
"We are delighted to give Andy this commission, but we would also like to thank all of the shortlisted artists who spent so much time and energy on creating such brilliant proposals.
"It made it really difficult for us to make the final decision”
Jack’s granddaughter Lesley said:
"We love the range of ideas, and we look forward to working with Andy to see a statue that is an accurate portrayal of Grandad”
The campaign will now be reaching out to companies and businesses in the South West, with commercial sponsorship opportunities for am accompanying film of the project, landscaping, lighting, and enhancing the statue’s surroundings. All sponsors will be recognised on the statue plinth.