Jonathan Kenworthy was still a trainee he sculpted the Whittington Cat. [Jonathan Kenworthy]
THE artist behind the popular Whittington Cat sculpture has actually gotten in touch with the council to repair the sculpting after it fell under disrepair– even providing to develop a brand-new statue “free of charge”.
Jonathan Kenworthy was still a trainee when he sculpted the popular Whittington Cat sculpture that sits on top of the Whittington Stone on Highgate Hill.
A trainee at the Royal College of Art at the time, Mr Kenworthy produced the sculpture from a block of black Irish limestone after ending up being the youngest artist ever to win the prominent Royal Academy Gold Medal.
” I got the stone over and sculpted it for them– it was extremely easy actually. It was a jolly good concept– everybody learnt about Penis Whittington in my generation, he was among those renowned characters in history,” Mr Kenworthy informed the Tribune
The limestone was polished to a high shine and put on top of the Whittington Stone in 1964. According to regional legend, the stone marks the precise area where Penis Whittington heard the Bow Bells sound out: “Turn once again, Penis Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London.”
The Whittington Cat today. [Islington Tribune]
The cat did not remain undamaged for long. Soon after it was completed somebody climbed up the fence and broke an ear off, then somebody else did the exact same, Mr Kenworth stated. It would require 2 brand-new ears and it would require re-polishing, he included. “I can’t do that now. I will be 80 and I have an extremely bad right-hand man which I can still design with, however for stone sculpting isn’t great.”
Mr Kenworthy, who now casts his sculptures in bronze, has actually used to re-make the Whittington Cat free of charge– as long as the council covers the foundry expenses.
” I would do it free of charge– my input would be nil. I am extremely emotional about it.”
Mr Kenworthy, who now resides in Leatherhead in Surrey, stated he had actually seen the pictures of the cat in its existing state. “It looks a mess to me– they’re going to need to throw down the gauntlet.”
He stated the cat needs to be protected due to the fact that it has actually ended up being a “example” for individuals checking out Whittington health center. “I comprehend individuals go and touch it for luck when they enter into the health center,” he stated.
Francis Wilkinson of the Highgate Society has actually been leading the job to bring back the “rather charming stone cat” after its poor state was highlighted by a Pearly King.
” It’s such a terrific concept to have a brand name brand-new undamageable monolith, instead of simply fixing the one that exists. It’s changing it with something remarkable,” Mr Wilkinson stated.
The council states the cat sculpture was noted, in addition to the Whittington Stone, in 1972, although the Highgate Society conflicts this. Mr Wilkinson preserves it is just the Whittington Stone that is safeguarded.
Mr Wilkinson stated the council needs to offer “a good factor for declining Jonathan Kenworthy’s deal”, and stated the Highgate Society wish to see a bronze sculpture cast and put in location “if Historical England can accept it– if they can’t, the existing sculpture needs to be fixed,” he stated.
A representative for Islington Council stated: “We’re devoted to securing and protecting Islington’s much-loved historic landmarks, consisting of the Whittington Stone.
” We understand that the cat sculpture is well-liked by homeowners throughout our district, and is typically rubbed as an all the best beauty ahead of health center gos to.
” We’re grateful to Mr Kenworthy for his extremely generous deal to develop a brand-new cat statue. Provided the Whittington Stone’s noted status, it is not likely that the council would be able to protect the approval essential for this work to go ahead.
” The council will continue to deal with Mr Kenworthy and the Highgate Society on how we can best save and bring back the existing statue.”
