Gentleman Jack/Anne Lister maquettes for York Uni
I am proposing a life sized public statue of the legendary Anne Lister, (AKA Gentleman Jack), for the University of York, at the site of her old school at Kings Manor. Positioned within the protective courtyard of this Grade 1 listed medieval building, I aim to place this public sculpture below the windows of the Huntington Room, with it's glass panes etched with schoolgirl crushes and early loves, including one which looks to be in Anne Lister's own hand!
My proposed sculpture will have a choice of two bases, one interactive and one which is less so. Both bases are formed from a pointed oval which rises up at the front like a wave or the prow of a ship, with Anne Lister striding up the steep slope of the base. Along the edge will be catalogued her many achievements: Anne Lister 1791-1840 Diarist, Scholar, Entrepreneur, Code Maker, Mountaineer, Hill Walker, Traveller, Polyglot, Landowner, Lesbian. Across the front of the base will be a quote from Anne Lister's diaries written in both her unique code and translated into cursive script.
The larger interactive base will contain a series of empty footsteps for the visitor to fill with their own feet, with script running though the steps encouraging the visitor to consider "What will you become?" and "Be brave like Anne and change the world!" The empty footsteps will parallel Anne's own, finishing to bring the visitor along side her, with Anne Looking at her fellow traveller on a level, her open left hand an invitation to join her.
I have already secured the support for this proposed sculpture from the York LGBT Forum, the national LGB History Month, the York City Council and the Equalities and Archaeology Departments of the University of York. The next step is to get the permission of the Arts Committee of the University of York, for which small scale models in patinated foundry bronze, of Anne Lister with the choice of bases needs to be presented to the Arts Committee for their choice and for their approval.
The sum above is only for the cost of making moulds and the casting and patination of these two maquettes, and for the 3D printing to make the raised lettering across the front of both bases, not for my time in creating them. In time I would like to cast the maquette of Anne Lister using the smaller base for sale as a limited edition of 50 available at £2150 each. The sales of these will help pay for the full sized life size public sculpture of Anne Lister at Kings Manor, the first public sculpture of a named modern lesbian in British history.
Donations of any size gratefully received, no amount too small or too big! Any donations over £100 will be given a personal invitation to the final unveiling ceremony of the life sized Anne Lister. Please feel free to share this Go Fund Me widely! Thank you!
A Public Statue of Anne Lister FaceBook Page
My website with its Anne Lister page
