Of Hogarth, Hockney and the Culture Minister

Of Hogarth, Hockney and the Culture Minister...

William Hogarth, the 18th century artist known as the father of English painting, lived the last 15 years of his life in Chiswick, in a house on the fringe of the Chiswick House Grounds. In those days, he doubtless had an uninterrupted view of country life, but today the house is hard up against the A4 to Heathrow. He is buried in the churchyard of St. Nicholas's, in Church Street.

His name is commemorated in various local institutions, such as the roundabout with the thrilling over-pass, and the health club. Now there is to be a statue of him on the corner of the High Street and Turnham Green Terrace, on that spot which seems to have been under renovation for four years. 

A sum of £50,000 needs to be raised, so that Ealing based sculptor Jim Mathieson can proceed with the life-size bronze (the image on the right is taken from the model, or “maquette”).   David Hockney has agreed to serve as patron of the Fund Raising committee, and Culture Minister Chris Smith attended the launch of the appeal in December where he accepted initial donations, including £11,000 from the Hogarth Health Club. (Mr Smith was quoted as describing Hogarth as "our greatest living artist", but we feel that between the good Minister and the sub-editors of the Brentford & Chiswick Times, the latter are more likely to have erred.)

William Hogarth’s engravings, portraits and cartoons cast a satirical eye over the mores of the time. We have images of the full set of "The Rake's Progress" - click here.)  Chiswick could probably do with a modern Hogarth - applications invited to editor@chiswickw4.com.

The William Hogarth Millennium Appeal has its own website - click here. If you'd like to contribute to the fund, please contact the Chiswick Traders Association, c/o Radford Smith Independent Financial Advisers, 46 Chiswick High Road, W4 1SZ.

The sculptor:
Jim Mathieson lives in Hanwell, London and is a portrait sculptor of international repute. He studied at the City & Guilds of London School of Art and has taught and lectured at the Sir John Cass and Ealing School of Art. He has exhibited extensively at the Royal Academy. His recent portraits include Nelson Mandela, Ophra Winfrey, William Hague, Betty Boothroyd, Prince Andrew and Darcy Bussell.

The Committee:
The William Hogarth Millennium Appeal Committee has been established to manage the fund raising activities and to oversee the development of the project.
chair: Roger Smith, Chiswick Traders Association
treasurer: Hugh Brendon, Chiswick Traders Association
Councillor Patricia Sterne
Councillor Paul Lynch
Peter Eversden, Chiswick Protection Group
Elisabeth Whittaker, Public Art Advisor
Spencer Ellis, HFTRA & Publicity Advisor
Cresswell & Co - honorary solicitors
Philip Hudson & Co - honorary chartered accountants
Patrick Arthurs, project manager, environmental services, Hounslow Council