Sayart.net - Reconstructed Wedgwood Statue Set for Unveiling in Early Fall After Demolition Controversy

A statue honoring renowned potter and entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood that was accidentally demolished during road construction has been fully rebuilt and is scheduled to be unveiled in early fall. The Capo sculpture, which depicts the Burslem-born pottery pioneer, had been a prominent fixture at Festival Park in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, since its original installation in 2009. The statue met an unfortunate end in February 2023 when it was reduced to a pile of rubble during construction work to expand the Marina Way roundabout. The demolition sparked significant controversy and political consequences, ultimately leading to the resignation of the city council's former deputy leader Daniel Jellyman after it was revealed that he had authorized the statue's destruction. Council leader Jane Ashworth confirmed that while the reconstructed statue will be relocated within Festival Park, it cannot return to its original position due to the new road infrastructure that now occupies that space. However, she assured that an appropriate alternative location within the park has been identified for the rebuilt monument. In a positive development for taxpayers, Ashworth revealed that the reconstruction project came in under budget compared to initial estimates. The cost savings were achieved because the council was able to secure replacement bricks at a significantly reduced rate from suppliers. Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke in January, Ashworth disclosed that the total rebuilding cost was less than £30,000, though she did not provide the exact figure for the project. The reconstruction process has been conducted with careful attention to honoring the original artist's vision. The family of sculptor Vincent Woropay, who created the original statue, was consulted throughout the rebuilding process and expressed satisfaction with the restoration plans. This collaboration ensured that the rebuilt statue would maintain the artistic integrity and design intentions of the original work. The Josiah Wedgwood statue serves as an important cultural landmark celebrating one of the region's most significant historical figures. Wedgwood revolutionized the pottery industry in the 18th century and his innovations helped establish Stoke-on-Trent as a global center for ceramics production. The statue's destruction and subsequent rebuilding has highlighted the importance of preserving public art and ensuring proper communication between different municipal departments during infrastructure projects. The upcoming unveiling will mark the end of a challenging chapter for the community, which had expressed disappointment and frustration over the original demolition mistake. Local residents and visitors will once again be able to appreciate this tribute to Wedgwood's lasting legacy in the ceramics industry and his contributions to the cultural heritage of Staffordshire.