A Sculpture for Mary Wollstonecraft facts for kids

A Sculpture for Mary Wollstonecraft is a public artwork in Newington Green, London. It honors Mary Wollstonecraft, an important writer and thinker from the 1700s. She was a strong supporter of women's rights. The sculpture was created by British artist Maggi Hambling. It was revealed on November 10, 2020.

About the Sculpture

What Does It Look Like?

The sculpture shows a female figure. She appears to be rising from swirling shapes. These shapes are meant to look like other female forms. The artist wanted to show Mary Wollstonecraft as a powerful and free woman.

On the base of the sculpture, there is a famous quote from Wollstonecraft. It says, "I do not wish women to have power over men but over themselves." This means she wanted women to be in charge of their own lives. The sculpture is also inspired by Wollstonecraft saying she was "the first of a new genus." This means she felt like a new kind of person.

The sculpture is placed across from the Newington Green Unitarian Church. Mary Wollstonecraft used to attend this church.

Why Was It Made?

A group called "Mary on the Green" started in 2010. Their goal was to get a statue of Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green. They also worked to raise money for it. By 2019, the group had collected £143,300.

The campaign was led by Bee Rowlatt, a writer and journalist. She is also a founder of the Wollstonecraft Society. This group teaches people about human rights. Maggi Hambling was asked to create the sculpture in 2018.

A group of art experts and the public chose Hambling's design. They all agreed it was the best choice. It was chosen over a design by another artist, Martin Jennings.