We take a closer look at the story behind one of the artworks in the University's fine art collection, a wonderfully expressive bronze sculpture of Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE, DL.
This contemporary bronze sculpture of Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE, DL was commissioned by the University to mark the completion of her tenure as Chancellor of the University of Exeter in 2016.
The sculpture was created by sculptor Luke Shepherd, originally from Cardiff and now based in Ashburton, Devon. Luke specialises in bronze portrait sculptures. He finishes and patinates all his own bronzes.
A bronze has to not only capture the exact likeness of the sitter, but be instantly recognizable and encapsulate their essence. Luke is known for his ability to bring this into his work and his skill is exemplified in this expressive study of Baroness Benjamin.
The clay version of the sculpture was transported very carefully to London from the sculptor’s Ashburton studio for each sitting. The final bronze sculpture was poured at the Arch Bronze Foundry in Putney. Find out more about the process that Luke Shepherd follows to make his bronzes here.
"A portrait bronze must capture an essence and be instantly recognisable. I try to start with a totally open mind and let the sitter’s personality impress itself upon me.”
Baroness Benjamin was Chancellor of the University of Exeter from 2006 until 2016. Past students will fondly remember their graduation ceremonies when she hugged each of them and encouraged them with her inspirational words to go out and change the world.
She was appointed a Life Peer in 2010 and in the 2020 Powerlist, Baroness Benjamin was listed in the Top 100 of the most influential people in the UK of African or African-Caribbean descent in the UK.
Read an interview with Baroness Benjamin published in 2019 in the University of Exeter’s student newspaper Exeposé here in which she charts the story of her life experiences and extraordinary career.
Luke Shepherd studied fine art at South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education followed by a Diploma Apprenticeship in Lost Wax Bronze Casting at the Royal College of Art, London. He has created portrait sculptures of celebrities and politicians and has works in national museums across the UK. His work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy London and the Académie Des Beaux-Arts, Paris. Other sculptures by Luke Shepherd include Billy Connolly and Christopher Biggins
Find out more about the artist here
The video below follows the making of the sculpture and its unveiling in early 2017
University of Exeter
Room 153, Queen's Building
The Queen's Drive
Exeter EX4 4QH
