Poets, Plumbers & Politicians – The Sculptures of Martin Jennings

Images by John Rose Photography https://www.johnrosephotography.com/

In this unique exhibition, renowned sculptor Martin Jennings presents maquettes of his statues of famous national figures alongside the stories behind their full-size realisations. Exhibits range in size from a tiny 6ins high model of his sculpture of George Orwell outside the BBC to a cast of the larger-than-lifesize portrait bust of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Jennings is perhaps best known for his statue of Sir John Betjeman at St Pancras Station. He has twice won the Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture. His work is in private and public collections worldwide.

Jennings’ subjects include prominent figures from the worlds of politics, the military, royalty, academia, literature, industry, medicine and the law. In 1991 he was commissioned by the Oxford Union to make a bronze portrait bust of Sir Edward Heath. One of the casts was bought by the sitter himself and remains on display in the drawing room at Arundells, Heath’s former home.

As part of the Dreweatts Artist Insights series Jonathan Pratt talks to Martin about life as a portrait artist and his first visit to Arundells to meet Sir Edward Heath. Watch this fascinating conversation below.

The exhibition has kindly been sponsored by Dreweatts.

Dreweatts is a leading UK auctioneer of Fine Art, Furniture, Sculpture, European and Asian Ceramics and Works of Art, Modern Design, Jewellery, Watches, Silver, Clocks, Wine, Manuscripts and Miniatures, Books and Live Steam and Model Engineering. Based in Newbury, Berkshire. To find out more or get in touch, then click here.