A ROLLING Stone is set to unveil a bronze statue of Sir William Orpen which is due to be erected in his hometown in Dublin.
A London exhibition will raise money to fund the creation of the sculpture, which will take pride of place in Stillorgan, where the portrait painter was born and raised.
And Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood — also an accomplished artist and established Orpen collector — has already agreed to officially unveil the statue of Orpen, who was also an official war painter of World War One.
A collection by the Irish artist will be on display at All Saints Church in Highgate in November, revealing some of his highly valuable works to art fans in the capital, where Orpen spent most of his working life.
The event is one of many being organised by the Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce, who are behind a fundraising drive to support the creation of the six foot sculpture.
Once made, it will be located in Stillorgan Village, as part of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s redevelopment of the area.
Substantial donations to the cause have already been made by the Chamber, The Smurfitt Foundation and Orpen’s Cider to secure the bronze artwork.
Those who make donations of €1,000 or more will be eligible to have their name or company name engraved on a brass plaque next to the sculpture, according to Dominic Lee, who is leading the campaign for the Stillorgan Chamber of Commerce.
“This is a fantastic initiative that will significantly contribute to the 2014-2016 rejuvenation plans for Stillorgan,” he told The Irish Post.
“And we are delighted that Dublin sculptor Rowan Gillespie has agreed to make the six foot bronze statue of William Orpen,” he added.
“He is also responsible for The Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay, Seamus Heaney, WB Yeats and the Titanica Sculpture, to name a few.”
To make a donaton to the sculpture fund, visit www.iDonate.ie/williamorpen
An exhibition and presentation on Sir William Orpen will take place at All Saints Church in Highgate, north London on November 1 and 2. Tickets cost £5 and are available on the door, or in advance.
To purchase, email [email protected] or log-on to the website www.allsaintshighgate.com
This article was corrected on August 11. It had incorrectly stated that Ronnie Wood is a former member of the Rolling Stones when he remains very much a full-time member of the band.
