New sculpture marks life and work of Nobel-winning Northamptonian
A stunning piece of public art commemorating the life and work of one of Northampton’s most famous sons is being installed in the town centre this week.
The sculpture, entitled Discovery, celebrates Francis Crick’s discovery in 1953 of the DNA double helix, alongside the American James Watson. Crick, Watson and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962.
Francis Harry Compton Crick was born in Weston Favell, Northampton on 8 June 1916. He died in 2004, aged 88. Northampton Borough Council and the Wilson Foundation proposed a piece of public art be installed in the town centre and a design competition was launched.
Lucy Glendinning’s design for 'Discovery' got a resounding thumbs up from the public following an exhibition in the Grosvenor Centre earlier this year. She also impressed the selection panel which consisted of members of Professor Francis Crick’s family, the borough council, the county council, the town centre partnership, and the Wilson Foundation who have generously funded the project.
Leader of Northampton Borough Council, Phil Larratt said, "Lucy’s work is aesthetically very attractive and we all agreed it would sit very well in Abington Street. She was the public’s favourite and I hope they will be delighted and thrilled to see this beautiful and inspiring piece of art in the very centre of town. It will act as a daily reminder of Francis Crick's amazing life and work."
Mr Lynn Wilson chairman of the Wilson Foundation said, "We are delighted to have been able to sponsor this project as representatives of a family that has been in the town for over a century and more so to have been invited to cut the ribbon. The sculpture celebrates the life of a world class scientist who must surely be considered the greatest Northamptonian of all time - by discovering DNA he unlocked the whole future of genetics and the alphabet of life."
The sculpture is being installed on Tuesday (13 December) and a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday (15 December) at 11.00am in Abington Street.
From Thursday, a display outlining how the Francis Crick memorial project came about, Crick's discovery, and the construction of 'Discovery' will be on show in Northampton Museum & Art Gallery. The exhibition will be on display until 14 January 2006; the museum is open daily (except for Christmas and New Year closures) and admission is free.
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Other Information
The Wilson Foundation:
The Wilson Foundation generously agreed to pay for the piece of public art to commemorate Francis Crick's life and work.
The Wilson Foundation was originally established in memory of the late Connolly Thomas Wilson OBE, a Northampton man who created the successful building company Wilson Connolly in 1905. Since then, his successors have contributed substantial funds to the charity, supporting the Air Ambulance and awarding scholarships in the form of financial grants to young people who need a ‘helping hand’.
Lucy Glendinning:
Having graduated from the University of the West of England in 1986, Lucy Glendinning worked for 2 years as a mould maker for Elizabeth Frink. Alongside regular group and solo exhibitions at the Beaux Art gallery in Bath, Lucy became known for public art commissions in the West and North of England.
Working mainly with the human figure and face using bronze and other cast materials, she established herself as a classical sculptor with contemporary style. Lucy is not new to the materialisation of scientific ideas having won a prestigious Gulbenkian foundation award to materialise quantum theory in 1998. Her portfolio also includes pen and ink drawings, cast glass heads and hands and life size figures in bronze and jesmonite.
* Photo Opportunity *
Reporters and photographers are invited to attend:
1. The installation of Discovery will begin at 0700 on Tuesday 13 December when the sculpture arrives onsite. It is anticipated that it will take most of the day to put the piece of art into place; a crane will be used to erect the two columns, each standing over 6 metres high, with life size (2 metre) figures atop.
2. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 1100 on Thursday 15 December in Abington Street (opposite Primark). Speeches will be made by Cllr Phil Larratt, leader of Northampton Borough Council, Mr Lynn Wilson, chairman of the Wilson Foundation, and Mr Brian Dickens, a cousin of the late Francis Crick.
This will be followed by a reception at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery and a chance to view a display outlining how the Francis Crick memorial project came about, Crick's discovery, and the construction of 'Discovery'. The exhibition will be on display until 14 January 2006; admission to the museum is free.
For further information please contact:
Siân Williams, Public Relations and Marketing Manager,
Northampton Borough Council on 01604 837393
Email: swilliams@northampton.gov.uk
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