Wedgwood 10ft face sculpture will be restored says council
It's after it was demolished in "error" by contractors
Last updated 6th Apr 2023
Officials from Stoke-on-Trent City Council have confirmed to us that they will begin a process to restore the iconic Josiah Wedgwood monument to its former glory after it was demolished in error.
It's after we reported on Thursday that members of the public had witnessed the red brick sculpture - which was first unveiled at the 1986 National Garden Festival - knocked down into a pile of rubble at Festival Park.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Abi Brown said: “I instructed officers to investigate and take immediate steps to protect the statue as soon as I found out it had been taken down. I can confirm that council teams have recovered the sculpture, and have sensitively stored the brickwork for safekeeping in a dry and safe place, secure in the council’s ownership.
"The sculpture will be restored"
“I am advised that the bricks that had been photographed discarded on the grass verge formed part of the base and plinth of the structure, as opposed to sculpture itself. However, it is clear that some of the materials used in the sculpture are perishable and friable. Given the effects of the weather over a number of years and that having been moved from other locations in the city in the past, there is a good deal of wear on some of the handmade bricks, and they have become increasingly brittle over time.
“I want to be very clear: the sculpture will be restored, for it to once again be viewed and enjoyed by residents and visitors. The next steps to achieve this will be to carry out a thorough assessment of all of the parts, and to bring in the right expertise as required to do this. This may take a little time, and if it does, that is because I want to be assured that this work is being carried out meticulously.
“An investigation is taking place into how the statue was removed from the site. The works being carried out to widen the Marina Way roundabout are complex and it will take some time to understand what has gone wrong.
“We have a good track record of restoring historic, iconic artefacts and a fantastic example of this is the magnificent Spitfire at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. I want to reassure residents that the same level of care and diligence will be applied to this statue. I am also grateful for all of the offers of support from many arts and creative institutions in our city.”
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