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Nottingham Miscellany Queen Victoria Complete The
unveiling of the artwork created by Joe Ganech |
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It was the 1st of October 2017 when I received the first e-mail from Joe Ganech. He explained that he was a Spanish artist presently living and working in Brussels, Belgium and that he would like to use my picture of The Queen Victoria Memorial Statue that now stands on the embankment, as the start point for one of his art works. This would be one of series that were being prepared in conjunction with Marysia Zipser of Arts, Culture and Tourism (ACT) to support the Nottingham bid to become the 2023 European City of Culture. I gladly gave my consent, sent Joe a high resolution copy of my photograph and he started work. He then came back and asked what The Queen was holding in her right hand. I said it 'was' the Royal Sceptre and that it had been snapped off, probably by vandals many years ago. Joe thought that it would be good to give The Queen back her Sceptre and a photograph of it was soon found. Joe added the sceptre but it didn't look quite right so we searched for and found an old picture of the original unveiling of the statue and from this Joe managed to get the scale and position just right. This new and very striking image of Queen Victoria was then born - 'Complete' with the long lost Royal Sceptre restored to its rightful position: |
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'Queen Victoria - Complete' * |
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Joe has a genuine love of
Nottingham, of England, and of its history and has produced several more
stunning works on Nottingham City subjects. Click here to go to the Joe
Ganech website to find out more and to
purchase prints of his works. Some prints are also available to purchase from the
Nottingham Tourism Information Centre on Smithy Row, Nottingham.
Joe is represented in the UK by Arts
Culture Tourism (ACT) that is run by Marysia Zipser. |
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To the left is a copy of my original photograph of the statue upon which Joe based his work. The statue now stands in The Memorial Gardens at the side of the River Trent on the Victoria Embankment. It was executed by Albert
Toft and originally stood at the bottom of Market Street on Long Row where
it was unveiled on the 28th July 1905 by The Duke of Portland. The statue has around its red marble plinth four fine bronze reliefs and I understand that at least the one on the back was exhibited at The Royal Academy. It is well worth visiting the Memorial Gardens for a stroll in the very pleasant park and to take a closer look at this statue and the bronzes. |
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The photographs below were taken at the unveiling of 'Queen Victoria - Complete' on Thursday 23rd November 2017 at Nottingham Council House by The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire - Colonel David R Sneath. Unfortunately, Joe could not attend in person but was live on line from Brussels via a video link and was able to watch the proceedings and speak to those present in Nottingham. The Sheriff of Nottingham Councilor Glyn Jenkins and Tim Pollard 'Robin Hood' were also in attendance. |
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The Sheriff of
Nottingham Councilor Glyn Jenkins, The High
Sheriff of Nottinghamshire - Colonel David R Sneath, and Mr. Tim Pollard |
The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire - Colonel David R Sneath unveils the picture with Ms. Marysia Zipser of ATC |
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The High
Sheriff of Nottinghamshire - Colonel David R Sneath, The Sheriff of
Nottingham Councilor Glyn Jenkins, Robin Hood and |
The High
Sheriff of Nottinghamshire - Colonel David R Sneath |
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The Sheriff of
Nottingham Councilor Glyn Jenkins, The High
Sheriff of Nottinghamshire - Colonel David R Sneath, and Mr. Tim Pollard |
Mr. Tim Pollard, 'The Official Robin Hood, Ms. Marysia Zipser of ATC, Mr. Ray Teece of Nottingham21 and The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire - Colonel David R Sneath, with the picture on the Council House Steps. (This picture courtesy of Nott's TV). |
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Sadly, on the very same day this artwork was unveiled, The European Union issued a statement saying that as the United Kingdom was leaving the EU, it could not compete in this event as it would not be in the EU by 2023. It is understood that an appeal will be launched. * The picture 'Queen Victoria Compete' © is reproduced here by kind permission of Joe Ganech |
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Post Script - 8th March 2018: |
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Whilst Joe was unable to make it to the unveiling event at the Nottingham Council House, he visited the UK in March 2018 and I was very pleased to be able to meet up with him and Marysia at the ACT Studio in Beeston. Above, Joe is signing a large canvas print of his creation 'Queen Victoria Complete' To the right is Joe with the signed canvas print and to the left of his head can be seen another print of his works depicting Dante Alighieri, the famous Italian poet. See more of his works at the Joe Ganech website |
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