Literary enthusiasts could get their fix at Shapero Modern’s exhibition Still Reading (until December 4) this month, held in conjunction with Sladmore Contemporary. It includes a number of maquettes and bronzes by sculptor Martin Jennings.
Among these is a maquette of his George Orwell (1903-50) sculpture, which was unveiled in full, larger-than-life size, in front of BBC Broadcasting House earlier this month. The commission caused some controversy – Orwell, a former BBC employee, once dubbed it the corporation “half lunatic asylum, half girls’ school” and reportedly left its employ on bad terms.
“I wanted to express Orwell – with one pugilistic hand on his hip and the other jabbing his cigarette at us – as candid and forthright, a pointed and interrogative figure forcefully enquiring of each of us whether we too will take his stand on behalf of intellectual liberty and truth,” says Jennings.