Statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Tavistock Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Mahatma Gandhi |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
The statue in 2012
|
|
| Artist | Fredda Brilliant |
| Year | 1968 |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Designation | Grade II listed building |
| Location | Tavistock Square |
| 51°31′30″N 0°07′45″W / 51.52504°N 0.12904°W | |
In the heart of Tavistock Square in London, you can find a special bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi. This statue was created by an artist named Fredda Brilliant. It was officially revealed in 1968. This happened just before the 100th birthday of Gandhi, who was born in 1869.
Gandhi was a very important leader from India. He is famous for using peaceful ways to fight for freedom and rights. Did you know that Gandhi actually studied law in London? He went to University College London from 1888 to 1891. This university is very close to where his statue stands today. After his studies, he became a lawyer.
Contents
What the Statue Looks Like
This statue shows Gandhi when he was older. He is sitting quietly, deep in thought. His legs are crossed in a special way called the lotus position. His left hand rests gently on his ankle. His head is bare, and his eyebrows are a little furrowed, showing he is thinking deeply.
Gandhi is wearing his usual clothes. This includes a simple cloth wrapped around his waist, called a dhoti. He also has a shawl draped over his right shoulder. The statue sits on a round base made of Portland stone. This stone base stands on a square platform with four steps.
On the stone base, you can read the words "Mahatma Gandhi, 1869–1948." There's also a hollow space at the front of the base. People can place flowers or candles there to honor him. In 1996, a small plaque was added. It remembers Gandhi's 125th birthday, which was two years earlier.
How the Statue Was Made and Unveiled
The idea for the Gandhi statue came from the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Committee. They worked with the India League to make it happen. The statue was officially revealed by the British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson. This special event took place on May 17, 1968.
Many important people were there. This included V. K. Krishna Menon, who was India's first High Commissioner to the UK after India became independent. The current High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, Shanti Swaroop Dhavan, was also present. In 1974, the statue became a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical structure that is protected.
Other Memorials Nearby
Tavistock Square is a place with several important memorials. Close to Gandhi's statue, you can find the Conscientious Objectors Commemorative Stone. This stone was put there in 1994. It remembers people who refused to fight in wars because of their beliefs.
There is also a cherry tree in the square. It was planted in 1967. This tree honors the victims of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. You can also see a bust, which is a sculpture of someone's head and shoulders, of Dame Louisa Aldrich-Blake. This bust was put up in 1926.
Smaller Versions of the Statue
Sometimes, artists make smaller models of their sculptures before creating the final large one. These smaller models are called "maquettes." A large bronze maquette of Gandhi's statue was shown on a TV show called Antiques Roadshow in 2013. An expert named Philip Mould said it was worth about £20,000.
The family of Fredda Brilliant, the artist, later sold this bronze maquette. It was 94.5 centimeters (about 37 inches) tall and signed by the artist in 1964. It was sold at an auction in 2019 for £52,000!
Other smaller versions were also sold. A plaster model, 93 centimeters tall, went for £13,000. A resin model, 28 centimeters tall, was sold with another Gandhi sculpture for £5,000. Even a small bronze version, 27 centimeters tall, was sold in 2014 for £580. These sales show how much people value the artist's work and Gandhi's legacy.
