Public Art in Central Christchurch

Godley Statue

Category: Monument / Sculpture Title: Godley Statue Primary artist(s): Thomas Woolner (1825-1892) Foundry / fabricator: Coalbrookdale foundry, England Unveiling date: 8 August, 1867 Media: Bronze, Hoon Hay stone plinth Location: Cathedral Square Setting: In front of the Cathedral, facing the Cathedral and Lyttelton Owner / administrator: Parks Unit, Christchurch City Council

On 6 August, 1867, a public holiday was declared for the citizens of Christchurch to commemorate the 'founding father of Canterbury' - John Robert Godley (1814-1861). In his memory a bronze statue was unveiled on this day in Cathedral Square.

Four years earlier, in 1863, an English sculptor, Thomas Woolner had been engaged to carry out the monument's commission. Woolner was a leading British sculptor and member of the English Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The Pre-Raphaelites were part of a movement advocating a return to the realistic depiction of nature.¹ Woolner worked from photos to create a realistic representation of Godley.

The statue was cast in bronze at Coalbrookdale foundry and there are claims that the metal used for the statue was from guns captured at Sebastopol during the Crimean war 1854-1856.² Before travelling to New Zealand the statue was exhibited at the South Kensington Museum in London where contemporary critics were impressed by Woolner's ability to portray Godley in everyday clothes, while retaining a sense of his qualities as leader.³

Back in Christchurch William Brassington was instructed to make the plinth out of Hoon Hay stone. However the dimensions were wrong and this caused a delay of nine months while another was made. During this time Godley was placed outside and had to withstand wind and rain with just a canvas cover. The time delay aroused concerns that the damp canvas would cause corrosion of the bronze.

Finally in front of a 2000 strong crowd, the Christchurch magistrate Charles Bowen, who had once been Godley's private secretary, unveiled the statue. Godley remained steadfast in the Square until 5 March, 1918, when he was moved to make way for a tram shelter and toilets. However, these facilities were later demolished and Godley was allowed to return to his original position in 1933.

¹ Lucie-Smith, E; The Thames and Hudson Dictionary of Art Terms, (London, Thames and Hudson, 1984). p152

² Brittendin, W.A.J; Christchurch in Colour, (Christchurch, Bascands Ltd, 1973). p8 There is another reference to this in ; Round the Square, (Christchurch, Clerestory Press, 1995). p73

³ Cattell, J; Historic Buildings of Canterbury and South Canterbury, (Wellington, Government Printing Office, 1985). p9.

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