A groundbreaking project to create the first statue of a non-royal woman in Dorchester has reached a major milestone with the bronze casting of novelist Sylvia Townsend Warner's figure. The life-size sculpture, funded through crowdfunding efforts by the charity Visible Women, is set to make history when it's installed on a public bench in the town center this December.
The bronze statue has been cast in multiple sections and is currently in the cooling process following the pour. According to a Facebook post by the charity, "the real magic begins" as workers will now piece the sections together and refine all the intricate details that bring the sculpture to life. The artwork is the creation of renowned artist Denise Dutton, who previously gained recognition for her Mary Anning statue in Lyme Regis.
Sylvia Townsend Warner was a prominent literary figure of the early 20th century and a contemporary of Virginia Woolf. She lived in Dorset with her long-term partner, Valentine Ackland, making her an important part of the region's cultural heritage. The $60,000 life-size statue will be positioned on a new public bench outside Goulds department store on South Street, with the official unveiling ceremony scheduled for December 14.
The sculpture includes a distinctive feature that reflects Townsend Warner's personal life: a cat positioned at the writer's feet, representing her well-known love of felines. Originally, the charity planned to model the cat after Susie, a locally famous cat with more than 10,000 Facebook followers. However, complaints about the cat's appearance during the wax stage of the casting process led the charity to distance itself from the popular pet and redesign the feline figure.
This historic installation represents more than just public art; it symbolizes recognition of women's contributions to literature and culture in Dorchester. The project has generated significant community interest and marks an important step in celebrating the literary heritage of the region. Once completed and installed, the statue will provide a permanent tribute to Townsend Warner's legacy and serve as an inspiration for future generations visiting the town center.
