THE PHILIP LARKIN STATUE APPEAL
INTRODUCTION | THE SCULPTORS | UPDATES
2010 July 20
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The Larkin Society, in association with the sculptor Martin Jennings, is offering for general sale a limited edition of 20 bronze maquettes of Martin’s winning design for the Larkin Statue to be unveiled on Hull Paragon Station on 2nd December 2010, the exact 25th anniversary of the poet’s death.
The bronze maquette, about 15 inches high, costs £3,000 plus VAT. The number on each maquette purchased will depend on the date at which the purchaser’s funds are cleared. These maquettes are certain to become prized items, given the subject and the eminence of the sculptor. If you are interested in purchasing a maquette, please contact Graham Chesters.
 Philip Larkin statue - maquette |
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| Photograph ©Martin Jennings |
2010 June 3
Here's a short video (hosted on YouTube) of Martin Jennings' visit to Hull Paragon on Friday 14 May. The video was produced for Larkin25 by Top Banana PR company.
2010 February 13
The PLS Commissioning Group for the Larkin statue met today and decided to award the commission to Martin Jennings. The decision — made after careful consideration of the evaluation forms completed by those present at the sculptors' presentations on Thursday 11 February — was edorsed by Eddie Dawes (Chair of the Larkin Society).
More information to follow
2010 February 11
Today, at Hull's Royal Hotel (formerly the Royal Station Hotel), Graham Ibbeson, Jemma Pearson and Martin Jennings each presented their concept for a Larkin statue. As can be seen from the photographs below, all three sculptors have represented Larkin moving. Two have Larkin with his bicycle, and one has him walking (towards the station platform).
It must be noted that the maquettes shown are concepts; the sculptors ideas about how they would like to present Larkin. The final statue — whoever is chosen to create it — will be more detailed and will bear a much closer resemblance facially to Larkin.
The Larkin Society's statue committee will discuss the three presentations in the next few days before making their final recommendation to the main PLS committee.
 Graham Ibbeson's Larkin maquette |
 Jemma Pearson's Larkin maquette |
 Martin Jennings' Larkin maquette |
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| Photographs © James L. Orwin |
2009 December 7
The Larkin statue has been commissioned on behalf of Larkin 25 by the Philip Larkin Society to act as a lasting legacy honouring the poet’s connections with the city of Hull. The unveiling is planned for 2nd December, 2010 – exactly 25 years since the poet’s death – concluding a six month series of commemorative events.
Hull’s Paragon Station was a spot favoured by Larkin as it was the departure point for many of his trips on his bicycle to the local countryside, as well as for the famous journey captured in ‘The Whitsun Weddings’. First TransPennine and Network Rail are supporting the project.
Thethree shortlisted sculptors, Jemma Pearson, Martin Jennings and Graham Ibbeson are creators of some of the nation’s most popular sculptures. Ibbeson installed the famous tribute to Eric Morecambe at Morecambe Bay; Pearson created the younger looking Darwin sculpture at Shrewsbury School and the two portraits of Elgar at Hereford and Broadheath to celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth; Jennings recently installed the much-loved statue of Sir John Betjeman in St Pancras Station, London.
The chosen artist will be appointed by the Commissioning Group in consultation with the Chair of the Larkin Society Executive Committee, Professor Edwin Dawes, and announced in mid-February 2010. In the mean time, the Larkin Society is looking to raise £80,000 to help fund the statue and associated costs. A public appeal has been launched and donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/philiplarkinstatue.