Public Art in Central Christchurch

Scott Statue

Category: Monument / Sculpture Title: Scott Statue Primary artist(s): Lady Kathleen Scott (later Lady Kennet) (1878-1947) Unveiling date: 9 February, 1917 Media: Carrara marble Location: Corner of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace Setting: Set on the grass verge facing the Information building with back of the statue to the South Pole Owner / administrator: Parks Unit, Christchurch City Council

Christchurch was the New Zealand base for the British Antarctic expeditions in 1901 and 1910. Captain Scott's final voyage reached the South Pole 25 January, 1912. Returning from the South Pole Captain Scott and his companions perished. Due to bad weather Scott and his party were unable to make it to the next supplies base and simply died of starvation. News of the death of Scott and his companions did not reach Christchurch until 11 February, 1913.

A week after the news broke in Christchurch a committee was set up to organise a Scott memorial fund. The Christchurch City Council entered into a contract with Lady Kathleen Scott. Lady Scott, a British sculptor, had been married to Captain Robert Falcon Scott since 1908. Lady Scott agreed to complete a sculpture of Scott for £1 000. A bronze statue was originally intended but when the work was started in 1915 all available metal was being used by armament makers. The subsequent high cost of bronze meant that Carrara marble was a more viable option.

Lady Scott portrayed Captain Scott in polar dress, facing north on the homeward journey when death overtook him and his companions. On the plinth the names are inscribed along with an extract of Captain Scott's last note as he awaited death.

To avoid damage to the raised hand and a leg of the sculpture, it was transported to New Zealand incomplete. However negotiations broke down over the increased cost of creating the statue in marble and Lady Scott did not travel to Christchurch before her death in 1947 so the statue remains unfinished.

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