E J Clack to Move Centre Stage at Green Park Station

This water-fountain and statue that stood in The Green Park for over 50 years has been permanently removed from it's original location.

This is the site now, tarmac is being removed , the pinth, fountain and statue are long gone.

But they will be back with a vengeance in 2012, when the work at Green Park Station is complete.

Green Park Station and the surrounding area are currently undergoing major works, in time for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Part of the scheme includes a brand new entrance to the Tube station direct from the park. When it is complete, this fountain will be re-sited as the centrepiece of this new entrance.

 

The statue is "Diana of the Treetops" by Estcourt J. Clack originally unveiled in 1954. In the base is a water fountain and even a water fountain for dogs.

Estcourt J. Clack, known as Jim, was a full-time woodwork teacher at Blundell's School in Halberton, Devon. He won a competition to produce this fountain. It is one of the many fountains commissioned by the Constance Fund in London.

The Constance Fund was set up artist Sigismund C.H.Goetze's widow, Constance,  in his memory. Its aim was “to encourage and promote the art of sculpture in London Parks.”.

The only other EJ Clack I know of in London, is the Charles Dickens Plaque on Marylebone Road. I am pleased that this, his previously lesser seen work, will now be in such a prominent position. Who knows, there may even be postcards of it by this time next year and "Jim Clack" might soon be a household name!

More on the history of this fountain from the National Archives here

TROT - DON'T TROT

Where Constitution Hill meets Duke of Wellington Place, at Hyde Park Corner, stands London's most inclusive pedestrian controlled crossing.

The extra high control panels and lights for equestrians are complimented by controls for cyclists and regular pedestrians too.

Everybody's going to be happy!

Not new, I just like it.

Spencer House gets Hammered

Spencer House in St James's Place has a new temporary sculpture on the terrace.

It is Hammer (Blue) by  Michael Craig-Martin. You can see it from the western end of St James's Place or from The Green Park. The work has been displayed here by the New Art Centre, more about them here.

Michael Craig-Martin has also curated the sculpture galleries for this year's Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. More on him from his website here.

A Woodwork Teacher Who Sculpted Diana for The Green Park

This enormous Portland stone panel commemorates one of Charles Dickens' many London homes. It stands on the Marylebone Road. There is some more detail about it at the excellent Ornamental Passions site here.

Less well known, by the same little known sculptor, is this bronze.

It is Diana of the Treetops by Estcourt J. Clack. Unveiled in 1954, it stands in The Green Park, London.

Estcourt J. Clack was a full-time woodwork teacher at Blundell's School in Halberton, Devon. He won a competition to produce this fountain. It is one of the many fountains commissioned by the Constance Fund. More on this from the National Archives here.

Update May 10th 2011. I walked past the site of "Diana in the Trees" and the fountain and statute have gone. No doubt they have removed for conservation or repair. Does anyone know when they are due to return?