Launch of the Appeal
The Public Appeal for funds to raise a statue to Edward Alleyn was launched by the Dulwich Society at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in May. There was a large attendance and visitors were able both to view the studies of the Finalists' designs and see the presentation to Louise Simson, sculptor of the winning design by Tessa Jowell, MP for Dulwich and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. As reported in the last issue, sixty applications for the entry details were received, and there were thirty-three designs submitted.
The brief for the Open Competition was to design a life-size figurative bronze statue of Alleyn. Some information on his life and career was supplied but artists were expected to conduct their own further research. The judging was conducted 'blind' by the panel of judges who were unanimous in their choice of the winning design. In addition to the six finalists who each received a cheque from the Dulwich Society for £750, two further statuettes of designs commended by the judges were also displayed in the exhibition in the Linbury Room of the Picture Gallery.
At the time of going to press the Appeal, chaired by our President, Judge Michael Rich QC has raised £40,000. Thirty-four patrons have so far supported the Appeal and there has been a good response from Dulwich Society members and other individuals. The Dulwich Estate, on behalf of the Foundation Schools and associated charities generously contributed £10,000. The total thus exceeds the original target figure but the judges' choice of the winning design is one that includes a second figure, and this will increase costs.
Whilst it is likely that sufficient funds are available to commission the casting of the statue, subject to acceptable tenders being received, there still remains a balance to be raised to provide a suitable plinth. Dulwich Society Members who wish to be associated with the project but have not yet made a donation are invited to send their cheques to the Appeal Treasurer, David Trace FCA, 88 Burbage Road, SE 24 9HE. Cheques should be made payable to the Edward Alleyn Statue Appeal.
Louise Simson - the winning Sculptor
Louise Simson was born in London in 1960. Having learnt certain practical techniques while studying History of Art at Edinburgh University she started painting oils of actors and actresses from their performances at the National Theatre between 1981-86. Capturing the actors' movement became a way of defining not only the person, but also the character they were portraying. Most of these paintings are now in private collections. Amongst the actors painted were Jack Shepherd in Midsummer Night's Dream, Judi Dench in The Importance of Being Ernest, and John Normington in Danton's Death. A number of commissions were also completed in Washington and Philadelphia in 1986. Buyers include Richard Thomas (John Boy Walton), Zach Grenier (Fight Club) and Allison Janney (The West Wing).
Between 1986 and 1990 she worked in film, television and theatre. Films include Sour Sweet directed by Mike Newall, television includes Paradise Club produced by Selwyn Roberts. She did costumes for a number of stage productions, including some directed by Jack Shepherd. These include In Lambeth with Bob Peck, and King Lear with Oliver Cotton. A visit to Egypt in 1990 led to exhibitions of paintings completed there and she took her interest in Egypt further by reading for a BA and then an MA in Egyptian Archaeology.
In 2001, as a direct result of the stupendous Wimbledon Final between Pat Rafter and Goran Ivanisevic she was inspired to sculpt Pat Rafter in bronze. She worked from one of her own photographs taken while he was serving. As a result of the interest this bronze created she was asked to sculpt a bronze of the Wimbledon winner annually, again from her own photographs. Last year Louise was also commissioned to produce a bronze of David Beckham scoring the goal against Greece that put England into the World Cup Final.
She says that her continuing passion in her sculptures is the portrayal of movement. As with her paintings of actors, she has also used movement to portray story and character in her maquette of Edward Alleyn. She lives and works in south east London.
