A charity campaigning to install a statue of a renowned Dorset novelist has found itself embroiled in an unexpected controversy over the appearance of a bronze cat featured in the memorial. Visible Women, the organization behind the project, says they have been distressed by harsh criticism regarding the cat's design, which was originally intended to honor a locally famous feline named Susie.
The $60,000 crowdfunding project aims to create Dorchester's first non-royal statue of a woman, featuring a life-size bronze sculpture of novelist Sylvia Townsend Warner sitting on South Street with a cat at her feet. The cat detail was designed as a tribute to Townsend Warner's love of pets, with the bronze feline initially modeled after Susie, a well-known local cat who has gained significant online following.
However, the charity has been overwhelmed by negative feedback about the statue's cat design. Critics on Susie's dedicated Facebook page, which boasts more than 10,000 followers, have complained about various aspects of the bronze animal's appearance. Particular criticism focused on the "sludge green" color of the casting wax used in the statue's creation. Additionally, some commenters noted the absence of a tracking collar on the statue's cat, despite the fact that such technology had not been invented during Townsend Warner's lifetime in the early 20th century.
The backlash has been so intense that Visible Women has made the decision to completely "move away" from any connection to Susie. In a Facebook statement, the charity explained their position: "While we initially hoped Susie could inspire the cat in the Sylvia Townsend Warner statue, the sculpture was always created from photographs, making a precise likeness impossible. Recent comments have caused upset and, as a charity, we feel it's best to separate all ties. The cat is now simply a generic cat."
In response to the controversy, the charity is offering full refunds to anyone who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign specifically because of the promised Susie likeness. This gesture demonstrates their commitment to transparency and donor satisfaction despite the unexpected turn of events.
The sculptor behind the project, Denise Dutton, who also created the acclaimed Mary Anning statue in Lyme Regis, reportedly finds the entire situation "hilarious" according to the charity. Her previous work suggests she has the artistic skills to create compelling memorial sculptures, making the current controversy all the more surprising.
Sylvia Townsend Warner was a significant literary figure who lived in Dorset with her long-term partner, poet Valentine Ackland. She was a contemporary of Virginia Woolf and made remarkable contributions to literature during the early 20th century. Despite her achievements, the Dorchester Civic Society noted in the planning application that "her name is rarely mentioned and remains absent from Dorset's literary landscape," highlighting the importance of this memorial project in recognizing overlooked female writers.
