Queen Elizabeth II statue coming to Test Valley towns

Local sculptor and painter Amy Goodman was commissioned by the council to create two life-size sculptures of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be sited in Andover and Romsey. The statues were originally commissioned as part of the Platinum Jubilee.

The statues will eventually be cast in bronze, but first Amy must perfect her sculptures in clay. Members of the public will be able to watch her sculpt the first version of the Queen on November 18 and November 19 at an open studios event at Project Workshops in Andover.

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Amy Sculpting in her studio (Image: Test Valley Borough Council)The event will feature many artists at work, including Amy sculpting live in her studio at midday on each date.

Attendees will also be able to see the foundry where the bronze statues will eventually be cast.

Amy said: “There’s a great community of artists here and a chance to see glass blowing and other demonstrations as well as visit the open studios and workshops. It’s a fascinating place for all the family to visit in the lead-up to Christmas and I’m delighted to be able to share the work I am doing on the statues of the late Queen with visitors and talk to people about the project.”

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A selection of the 80 mini canvases (Image: Test Valley Borough Council)There will also be a chance at the event, which will take place from 10am to 4pm, to view 80 mini canvases painted by local schoolchildren and members of the public at workshops across Andover. The images will help inspire how Amy inscribes the story of the Queen’s reign onto the statue’s robe of state. There will be more workshops running in Romsey in the new year to inform the designs on the other statue.

Amy is also keen to hear from anyone across Test Valley who has a personal story about the Queen that they would like to share.

Amy said: “During my recent visit to Andover Nursing home one of the residents there shared some details about going to see the Queen lying in state with her daughter. It got me thinking that it would be fantastic to hear about any other stories people have about the Queen, particularly anyone who has met her. It might be a key memory, a visit to London, or an encounter with the Queen here in Test Valley, either recently or in the past.”