George Wagstaffe has shared the inspiration behind The Phoenix Tree
A statue has been unveiled in Coventry - and the story behind it sums up everything great about our city. The Phoenix Tree has been designed by George Wagstaffe and will stand facing Coventry Cathedral.
Mr Wagstaffe was commissioned by Coventry University to create the bronze sculpture, which symbolises the evolution of Coventry. It was modelled on new trees he saw growing on the site of a fallen tree and draws on his experience of the Blitz.
The Phoenix Tree was created to symbolise the city rising from the devastation of World War Two. A poem that has been etched onto the plinth of the sculpture was created by Michaela Gyetvai, who studied Fine Art Painting at Coventry University.
Coventry University had been carrying out a development over the past year which included the creation of a large open space from Coventry Cathedral to Cox Street. It also included the demolition of the decades-old building known as Alan Berry.
The Phoenix Tree takes pride of place in the newly created space on Priory Street. It has formed part of plans to open up the space to the public and is intended to be a place where people can gather to socialise and relax, says Coventry University.
George Wagstaffe said: “Although I did not think so at the time, I think the Blitz has had a massive effect on my work... the idea that things do crumble, do fall away, do break up and out of that can come something greater, something good.”
Speaking about the Phoenix Tree, George said: “It was conceived 15 years ago when I was drawing and painting in Wales. I was drawing a series of trees that were very strange and I found out that a tree some years before had fallen down and instead of being cut up it was covered with earth and out of it had come these new trees.”
He added: “How wonderful to have a university city growing up and growing something new, something vital for Coventry. It has been through this constantly, it has had the car industry, it has had the ribbon industry and it has collapsed and it has come back again, and now coming back in the form of a university.”
Mr Wagstaffe is a shining example of the rich artistic heritage of Coventry University. He also spent several years teaching at the city-based institution when it was known as Lanchester Polytechnic, and his work will complement the new building which was named after Delia Derbyshire.
Ian Dunn, Coventry University Provost, said: “George has many pieces of work associated with the city. I think it is fair to say he is the sculptor in residence of the city of Coventry and we are enormously proud of this.
"It is an opportunity for the university to open up a space that gives a proper and full view of the glorious Coventry Cathedral. It is a space we hope is part of the university but also a space for the city and we are incredibly proud of our role in the city of Coventry.”
