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BLAKE, THE SCULPTURE
The sculptor Nigel Ellis is showing his figure “Blake” at St. James’ Church in Piccadilly, where Blake was christened. The hope is to raise funds so that the statue can be cast in bronze for a public monument—perhaps in Bunhill Fields, where Blake is buried. Ellis says, “I want the sculpture to embody in full, not just portray, and be elevating and enjoyable with the exuberance of Blake himself. Elsewhere, Ellis writes, “This is not strictly a portrait of Blake, although it does refer to both his life mask, the grimace of which it seeks to translate, and his wife Catherine’s drawing of him as a youth.” The statue took more than a year to complete. It was on show from 8 August to 15 September in Piccadilly. For further information contact St. James’ Church, 197 Piccadilly, London W1V 9LF, or Nigel Ellis at 44 Redchurch St., Shoreditch E2 7DP England. Photograph by Nigel Ellis.