Building the Cracker Packer armatures – I
Clay is heavy so we need to build a strong metal frame or armature to support it. At this stage I usually work with the sculptor Mark Longworth who’s great at planning out a rigorous…
Articles with Work-in-progress
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The Cracker Packers maquette
With the spirit of the Cracker Packers front of mind after the workshop, I am back in the studio working-up the design for the statue. I immerse myself – listening to the audio recordings of…
Cracker Packers help design their statue
The past year has gone so quickly. I have been working away in the studio on the Cracker Packers statue, consisting of two women biscuit factory workers – one from the past and one from…
Pankhurst Statue wins centenary grant
I’m incredibly excited that today the Government has recognised the legacy of Emmeline Pankhurst and Manchester in gaining women’s suffrage, by giving a major grant (£370,000) to the city to support the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue…
Hazel wins Emmeline Pankhurst commission!
I feel incredibly privileged to be selected to sculpt my hero, and Manchester’s hero, Emmeline Pankhurst. There was tough competition. The response to my design has been overwhelming; Emmeline as the courageous, determined and dignified…
Celebrating women workers – ‘Cracker Packer’ commission
International Women’s Day: press release Award-winning sculptor from Sussex, Hazel Reeves MRBS SWA FRSA, wins Carlisle commission to celebrate in bronze the lives of women biscuit factory workers – the ‘Cracker Packers’. The bronze statue,…
“Rise up, women”: time to vote
The unveiling at the Houses of Parliament was a huge success, and I was overwhelmed by the generosity of people’s response to my maquette – “Rise up, women”. A big thank you to all those…
The Pankhurst Meeting Circle
At the artists’ briefing, I was struck by Helen Pankhurst’s suggestion that this needs to be a statue where people come together, to continue Emmeline’s work in progressing women’s rights. I am proposing a stone…
The Pankhurst maquette: the final clay
Finally it all comes together. It’s easier now to get a feel for the strength and subtlety of the complete sculpture. You can almost hear Emmeline’s rallying cry – “Rise up, women” – above the…
The Pankhurst Maquette: Why the chair?
Emmeline Pankhurst’s own words explain: ‘Day by day our members went forth and held street meetings. Selecting a favourable spot, with a chair for a rostrum, one of us would ring a bell until people…
The Pankhurst maquette: the pose
In “Rise up, women”, I want to convey Emmeline’s vitality, courage, dignity, and beauty, while capturing some of her driven and uncompromising nature, essential in transforming the establishment. How to do this? Her stance –…
The Pankhurst maquette: working with the model
Much of the joy of sculpting for me is working with models. With a model you can test the pose and make adjustments. It brings an anatomical integrity. In essence, it breathes life into my…