March 20th 2010 - Bishop David Sheppard

A wet and miserable day in Liverpool today, as can be seen by the raindrops dripping from the statue of the late Bishop of Liverpool, David Sheppard. This fine sculpture, situated mid-way down Hope Street, is one half of a work by Stephen Broadbent, the other depicting the late Archbishop Derek Warlock. The commemorative sculpture was funded by public donation to celebrate the lives of these two influential men and to recognise their success in uniting the Roman Catholic and Protestant faiths in the city at a time in history when such unity wasn't always the case in other parts of the country. Both cathedrals can be viewed over the shoulders of the Bishop and Archbishop from the sculpture. Prior to his success as Bishop of Liverpool, David Sheppard enjoyed a different form of success as an England cricketer.

March 19th 2010 - Inspiration

This magnificent bronze sculpture of a pegasus, entitled 'Inspiration', by local artist Tony Evans, hovers midway from the wall of the Liverpool Community College Art School on the corner of Myrtle Street. Tony turned to sculpture late in life and has created a number of original metal pieces, often from recycled copper and bronze. This particular sculpture is ageing beautifully.

February 14th 2010 - Eros

What could be more fitting on St. Valentine's Day than a photograph of Liverpool's own Eros in Sefton Park. Eros is a second casting of the original, by sculptor Alfred Gilbert, which stands in Piccadilly Circus, London. Eros is an aluminium casting on a bronze fountain base. The sculpture was removed in 1991 for conservation work. Sadly, it was found to be so damaged it was decided it should be kept indoors and is now on permanent display in the NMGM Conservation Centre. This cast was recently replaced on the fountain in the park. I liked the way Eros appears to be balancing in mid-air, his dark form standing out against the backdrop of white sky in this photograph.