Renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings has been appointed to design and create the statue of Queen Elizabeth II for the UK’s national memorial in St James’s Park, London.
The sculpture will form the centrepiece of a new memorial on the Mall at Marlborough Gate and will be developed alongside the wider site design by leading architectural practice Foster + Partners.
Final proposals will be submitted next year for approval by King Charles III and the Prime Minister.
Mr Jennings is one of the country’s most respected sculptors. Millions of people are already familiar with his work, which includes the bust of the Queen Mother at St Paul’s Cathedral and the first crowned coinage portrait of King Charles III.
Martin Jennings, at Marlborough Kate, St James's Park, who has been announced as the sculptor for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II
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He is also known for major public commissions such as the Philip Larkin statue in Hull, the Mary Seacole monument at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital and the "Women of Steel" memorial in Sheffield.
Announcing the appointment, Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee chair Robin Janvrin said: “On behalf of the Committee, I am delighted that we have selected Martin Jennings to create the Queen Elizabeth sculpture.
“We felt he had a very sensitive understanding of the significance of this unique commission and we were impressed by Martin’s previous work and his ability to capture the essence of character in public works of art.
“We look forward to working with Martin and the Foster + Partners team in the months ahead.”
Martin Jennings has also portrayed the Queen Mother and the King in past works
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Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners, added: “I am pleased to welcome Martin Jennings to the Queen Elizabeth Memorial team.
“His work has a sensitivity and humanity that align well with the fundamental spirit of the project, and I look forward to working together with Martin and the rest of the team in the coming months.”
Mr Jennings said he was “elated” to take on the commission. “She was loved and admired across the globe for her steadfast devotion to duty, borne with grace, decency and restraint.
“The monument must not only reflect the grandeur of its setting but be an object of delight to its countless visitors in years to come.
Queen Elizabeth was the longest-reigning British monarch
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The St James’s Park location was chosen for its royal associations
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“I look forward to working with Foster + Partners and the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee so that we can achieve this together.”
The St James’s Park location was chosen for its royal associations and personal connection to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee will now continue work with Jennings and Foster + Partners to finalise the design for what is intended to be an enduring national landmark honouring Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.