Vincent Gray - Chichester Sculptures

I love the art trail - it gives you the opportunity to meet and chat to so many talented artists around the Chichester area.  I was delighted to meet Vincent Gray who is probably best known for his sculpture of Keats on Eastgate square but I was surprised to learn that he has no less than 9 works of art displayed around the area.   He has kindly chosen 3 of them to give us the story as to how they came about.   You can view a tour of all them below.   Vicki - Ed.

Keats Sculpture - The story

 During 2012 I came to learn through my research and private endeavours that the romantic poet John Keats had stayed in Chichester with his friends the Dilkes. He travelled to Chichester, probably arriving on St Agnes Day, 20th January 1819.

At this time he started work on the poem Eve of St Agnes taking much inspiration from Chichesters architectural features and landmarks such as the Crypt, Vicars Hall, the cathedral, Market Cross and the White Horse Public House on South Street.

I questioned why this giant of literature was not represented in the city and set about creating a small sculpture (maquette) with a view to realising it at life size if I could raise the funds and obtain council support.

The maquette now made, but not cast, I set up a meeting with full council to promote what I was wanting to do. Chichester City Council gave the initiative a unanimous thumbs up saying what I needed to do now was to apply for planning permission. I was granted permission to site the work at Eastgate Square directly under the window of the room Keats stayed in overlooking the square. A slate plaque can be seen on the wall of the house.

I was of course mindful throughout that my vision of a life size bronze sculpture of Keats fell entirely on my shoulders and therefore it was up to me to drive the project, and crucially, raise the funds. This I did by setting up a Just Giving Page. I also cast six maquettes and exhibited them in and around Chichester with information board and plinth coin slot. I organised various talks and poetry events celebrating Keats' short life and his poem, a romantic narrative, Eve of St Agnes. These events proved extremely popular and whilst they were free, donations were forthcoming and gratefully received. The maquettes also generated funds through sales. Both Chichester City Council and WSCC supported the project with monies coming from S106 and New Homes Bonus boosted totals. Chichester BID also got behind the project.

In 2017 the bronze sculpture was unveiled at Eastgate Square by Dame Patricia Routledge.

Nelson and Murray - The story 

 During 2013 the then Mayor of Chichester Richard Plowman approached me asking if I would be interested in producing a life size sculpture of Horatio Nelson and George Murray for Chichester.

I naturally said 'yes' and more information was forthcoming.

Murray was born and lived in Chichester. A high ranking naval officer, he served alongside Nelson in various campaigns including the Battle of Copenhagen. Murray proved himself in this battle demonstrating excellent seamanship, command of the vessel and extraordinary bravery. Had it not been for the death of Murrays father in-law and having to deal with the complex will, Murray would have been with Nelson at Trafalgar. Nelson rated Murray so highly he coined the phrase Murray or None.

Initial meetings were set up and the design approved which saw me produce a maquette. This not only supported the aims of the so called Murray Club, the steering group behind the project, it also acted as a great vehicle when promoting and applying for planning. Various sites were considered but rejected until eventually it was agreed the sculpture stand on ground to the front of the Assembly rooms.

Fast forward to 2020 the sculpture was unveiled by Sir George Zambellas on North Street Chichester, a stones throw from Murrays house, the former Ship Hotel. The stone plinth was provided by Chichester City Council.

Maurice Patten - The story

 During 2017 Richard Plowman approached me asking if Id like to be involved in the Priory Park Celebrations to be held in the Old Guildhall Priory Park. Priory Park 100 marked 100 years since the end of the First World War, the park being gifted to the people of Chichester by the 7th Duke of Richmond and Gordon as a thank you for the efforts and stoicism shown during this dark period of history. The theme for the event was WW1 and I chose to create a soldier standing at reverse arms in mourning for his comrades. I wanted to base the design on a real Chichester Soldier and by chance happened to meet family members of Eartham soldier, Lance Corporal Maurice Patten. Maurice died of injuries in Northern France and his personal belongings were returned to his mother. These belongings feature at the base of the sculpture arranged around Maurices feet. They comprise of tobacco pouch, silver watch and chain and a bible containing family photographs. The bible survives to this day and bears shrapnel wounds, likely to be the same shrapnel that killed him, aged 19.

I chose to gift the sculpture to the city and it can be seen in Litten Memorial Gardens on New Park Road just outside the city walls. 

It was unveiled in November 2019 in front of the entire service and 48 members of his family.