A memorial statue for Victoria Wood is planned to be unveiled in her home town of Bury, and a limited edition run of 40 scale sculptures of Graham Ibbeson's full-size piece are now on sale to raise funds to pay for the sculpture.
The scale models will be cast in bronze and mounted on a green slate base. They will have a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist and will be delivered in a presentation box.
They cost £1,500 inc VAT (p&p charges may apply). Delivery is 6-10 weeks from payment. Sculptures can be purchased from https://www.bury.gov.uk/vic or from the Bury Art Musuem Shop.
Graham Ibbeson has been selected to design and sculpt the lifelike bronze statue of Victoria Wood. Victoria was a great admirer of Graham's work – especially his sculpture of Eric Morecambe – hence Bury Council commissioning him with the blessing of Victoria's family and literary estate. More than £20,000 has already been raised to part-fund the sculpture from public donations. Further donations can be made via this JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/VictoriaWood
Graham Ibbeson comments: “I’m excited that we’ll be giving people an opportunity to own their own limited-edition scale sculpture, while also helping to fund the memorial statue. I got the particular pose from watching ‘An Audience With Victoria Wood’ which aired in 1988; I’ve tried to show her enjoying the applause, and the laughter. I hope that they will reflect the nation’s affection (and indeed mine) for her unique talent."
Multi-BAFTA award-winning comedian, writer and actor Victoria Wood was born in Prestwich and attended Bury Grammar School for Girls, died in April 2016 at the age of 62 from cancer.
The mum-of-two found was best known for her BBC sketch Acorn Antiques and the comedy Dinnerladies. She grew to be one of the nation’s most respected and loved comedians.