Sculpture Cymru is delighted to announce that member, Lee Odishow, has been awarded the commission for the Flanders Memorial for Wales. The 8′ red bronze dragon atop a stone cromlech will be sited in the town of Langemark in Belgium and will be a fitting memorial to all the Welsh people who served in any capacity during the First World War.
Sculpture Cymru Chair, Lyndon Mably has been project managing the commission process for some months, with assistance from David Alston of the Arts Council of Wales. A long list of talented sculptors, including many Sculpture Cymru members, was presented to the commissioning body during the selection process, and a short list was prepared.
The First Minister, Carwyn Jones unveiled Lee’s winning design at a ceremony at the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday 11 February 2014.
Lydon Mably will now be sourcing a foundry for enlargement and casting of the maquette and arranging transportation of the dragon, ready for installation in Flanders in July.
First Minister unveils design of Welsh First World War memorial in Belgium
Artist pays tribute to Great War soldiers
Lee Odishow said the Flanders commission is a pivotal moment in his sculpting career. “It was an absolute honour to be chosen,” he said. “It is a career changing experience.” While he has adapted an iconic symbol of Wales, it still retains a personal element. “Although I have developed a Welsh dragon which is instantly recognisable, in many ways this one has an identity of its own,” he said “It is a muscular, snarling dragon, which looks like it’s ready to pounce. It has evolved as a personal project for me especially as my uncle, who recently passed away, had served in the Royal Engineers.”
