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Wednesday 19 October 2011

Look up ...


As a founder member of the Victorian Society, the poet Sir John Betjeman ought to be happy to be on the Saltaire blog!  The statue, as I'm sure you know, is not in Saltaire, but proudly stands in London's St Pancras International Station, which in the past he lobbied to save.  It's a sculpture by Martin Jennings and I love it.  It has such a sense of presence, life and lightness even though it's cast in bronze.

I have to confess I don't know many Betjeman quotes and none that seemed apt here.  But the way he's looking up reminds me of a little prayer card I have that simply says: "Look up when you're feeling down".  Wise words.
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Location: Camden Town, Greater London, UK

20 comments:

  1. John19 October 2011 at 07:03

    Looking for the bombs to fall on Slough? St Pancras is on my list for a photo trip, been meaning to go there since it opened.

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  2. Martin19 October 2011 at 07:42

    A sculpture can be pretty controversial when it's considered to have missed the mark. This one gets it so right, on so many levels. Nicely captured by your good self.

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  3. Diane19 October 2011 at 07:45

    I thought it was one of those street actors that spray themselves to look like metal! I think its a great statue. I wish your daughter well and hope the baby arrives safely. What a worry for you all. xxxx

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  4. Malyss19 October 2011 at 08:13

    I love this kind of statue too! very alive, and a beautyful tribute to the concerned person !

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  5. Hilary Melton-Butcher19 October 2011 at 08:34

    Hi Jenny .. great photo .. the statue must be fairly recently added - it's great to see St Pancras and Kings Cross nearly finished ..

    Wishing you and your daughter and family all the best - Hilary

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  6. Coloured Bubbles19 October 2011 at 09:02

    Wise words indeed. Life is as easy as we made it.

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  7. joo19 October 2011 at 11:30

    It's a lovely statue:)

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  8. H19 October 2011 at 14:01

    Before another year has passed, I fully intend to take a trip to London by train. We go down to visit family but always travel by car.

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  9. Lois19 October 2011 at 15:25

    This sculpture would make me smile every time I passed it!

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  10. RedPat19 October 2011 at 18:50

    Love it!

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  11. MorningAJ19 October 2011 at 20:12

    I LOVE that sculpture.

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  12. Jack19 October 2011 at 21:45

    This is great! Is it great "art"? Who cares. It is great fun and makes us all smile.

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  13. Michael and Hanne19 October 2011 at 23:23

    Well done Martin. I wonder what John has in his shopping bag?

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  14. Betsy Brock20 October 2011 at 03:48

    oh yes...I love this!

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  15. Alan Burnett20 October 2011 at 12:14

    I agree : looking up often provides you with the most interesting sights. I was looking forward to looking up in Thornton today - but I have a bad back and find it almost impossible to walk any distance, never mind look up.

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  16. diane b20 October 2011 at 14:07

    Hi! I'm back. I love these sculptures that are posed in natural life like positions. I saw some in Perth recently.

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  17. Lili20 October 2011 at 23:41

    The pose looks so believable as if it's the sillouette of a live person! ~Lili

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  18. Wayfarin' Stranger21 October 2011 at 00:26

    What a whimsical statue! How could you not stop and take a picture! Jim

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  19. Vicki Lane21 October 2011 at 05:10

    A wonderful statue! Would that more were so light-hearted!

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  20. Valerie21 October 2011 at 09:30

    Great capture - clever people who create these sculptures; love the detail.
    Prayers are with you and yours for a blessed outcome.

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