Emulsion, felt tip, paint pens, wire, nails, screws, dental cast and clay on wood base with removable hat.

28x20x12cm

ON LOAN

Norman Silvester, the live-in curator of Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum (1932-58), carved a bust of his daughter gazing up at the sky as spitfires flew over Bournemouth and away over the channel on their way to fight in World War II.

Her book, A Child of the Home Front: 1939-45 (2009), contains many more anecdotes of a child who grew up living in a museum during wartime. Luke’s audio interview with her (2017) is now part of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum collection.

This bust too looks upwards in awe at something beautiful yet terrifying, but through the eyes of the artist.