Colour and hair artist Sue Day adds the final touches to a waxwork of Sir Winston Churchill, ahead of the opening of a major new exhibition on ‘the greatest Briton’, which opens at Blenheim Palace next month.
The life-size figure will take pride of place in the new exhibition dedicated to Churchill’s lifelong association with his beloved birthplace.
Created by internationally-renowned sculptor Jethro Crabb, the bust was Initially carved out of clay, which was covered in silicone to make a mould, then filled with a special formula of wax.
The final stage involved Sue painstakingly inserting individual hair follicles into the scalp and then carefully colour matching the face, before the life-size figure is assembled and clothed.
In order to make the completed figure as realistic as possible, designers contacted Churchill’s original tailor, hat, glasses and shoemakers to provide bespoke authentic clothing and accessories, made to his own measurements.
As well as being his birthplace, Blenheim is where where he proposed to his beloved wife. It was also one of his favourite places to relax, and its rich military history provided huge inspiration for Churchill’s own political career.
He returned to Blenheim often throughout his long life; attending parties, painting and spending time with his cousin and close friend ‘Sunny’, 9th Duke of Marlborough.
The wax figure is part of the new attraction that is being built by ME&C Creative, whose clients include the Mary Rose Museum, London Zoo and Legoland.
It is one of a series of exciting new features set to open at the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site next month as part of a £1.9m investment programme.
In addition to the Churchill exhibition, Blenheim is creating an immersive and interactive experience, in the Palace’s historic stable block to showcase the importance of horses at Blenheim down through the centuries.
An art-themed restaurant and café is being constructed as part of the new attractions, which will feature a touchless ordering app.
Issued on behalf of Blenheim Palace. For more information please contact Samantha Vaughan on 07469 129743 or SVaughan@blenheimpalace.com .
EDITOR’S NOTE: Please follow this link to high res version of all the images – https://we.tl/t-7mSzYq5RXU
About Blenheim Palace
Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and designed by
Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, it was financed by Queen Anne, on behalf of a grateful nation, following the first Duke of Marlborough’s triumph over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession.