Her last big commission was to create a magnificent bronze horse for an historical square in Salford. Now Emma Rodgers hopes to turn heads again with a bust of one of the city's most famous sons.
She has moulded a sculpture which captures perfectly the dynamic swagger and charm of the late Tony Wilson. The De La Salle Grammar School old boy was a charismatic journalist at Granada Reports but gained Mancunian legendary status as co-founder of Factory Records that introduced bands including Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays and manager of the Hacienda nightclub.
Wilson, who died in 2007, aged 57, famously hated nostalgia, saying it was ‘crap’. But Emma's new work is a fine tribute to "Mr Manchester" who played a major role in the culture of the city.
In September her 8ft-high Salford thoroughbred was stabled in Bexley Square. Embossed on the horse are messages from Salfordians who made their mark.
Sayings from poet John Cooper Clarke, musicians Graham Nash, Peter Hook, Shaun Ryder, and actor Albert Finney adorn the £50,000 work. Called 'Salford's Firsts', it also celebrates the city's pioneering pedigree by adding 'firsts' to the design.
Books weaved into the mane are a nod to England's first public library opening in Salford in 1850. Some 24 maquettes of the bronze horse are to be made - a nod to 1824 being the year of the first horse-drawn bus service from Pendleton to Manchester. The first of the edition is now on display in Delacey Fine Art Gallery in Manchester.
Emma, said: "I was commissioned to create the Tony Wilson bust by a client of Delacey Fine Art Gallery, Manchester. The client has admired Tony's career and approached me to capture and incorporate some of this within the sculpture.
"I was a frequent visitor to the Hacienda in my youth, so knew of him and had also featured Tony and people he had worked with in my Salford Firsts sculpture situated on Bexley Square, Salford. Hooky was really helpful with information for the details for both sculptures as were other bands.
"The original bust is mainly constructed of broken records by bands Tony had worked with ,the surfaces and edges provide interesting textures to the sculpture, his glasses are not fully formed ,like a loose sketch and perch low on his nose, like they did when he was in deep conversation. I have studied a number of images, information and video footage to watch his expression and movement hence his hand resting gently on his shirt.
"Loose text of quotes and information are interwoven through the piece, to enhance the narrative. Even the base gives a gentle nod to an OMD album cover. My aim was to keep the piece quite fluid as he was so expressive with such an imagination. A really forward thinking person I was trying to convey that energy of such a strong character.
"The client has confirmed that they would be happy for me to continue a bronze edition from this and again, as with Salford Firsts I would like a percentage to support Salford Ceremonial Mayor's Charity. When you look closely at the Salford Firsts maquette it has all the same features as the sculpture in Bexley Square - from train tracks and canal systems, Pankhurst rosettes, William Webb Ellis rugby ball through to Hooky's guitar, and John Cooper Clark poems.
"I have the bronze maquette of the Salford Firsts sculpture displayed in Delacey Fine Arts Gallery in Manchester. Twenty five per cent of each sale will be donated to Mayor's charity - £3,000 of each piece sold - and also on display is the bust of Tony Wilson, again £1,000 of each bust sold will be donated to the same charity."
Salford ceremonial Mayor Councillor, Ann-Marie Humphreys, said: “The Salford Firsts statue is stunning and has received so much praise and admiration that I am sure people will be keen to own their very own maquette version. To know that sales of the maquette will also help support three very worthy causes in Salford is just the icing on the cake.”
Proceeds from the sales of the sculptures will be divided between the Mayor's three charities during her term of office which is until May 2023. They are:
Animals in distress: Founded in 1967 to alleviate the suffering of sick and injured animals. Their work includes 24 hour rescue, veterinary treatment and neutering. They look after strays, abandoned animals and cruelty cases in the city.
Loaves and Fishes: Based in Langworthy, Salford, this charity brings together a wealth of experience and expertise working with homeless, vulnerable and isolated people in the city. They have supported many people, embracing, empowering and offering hope to those in need.
Salford Children’s Holiday Camp: The holiday camp was established in 1926, by way of an endowment of an area of land on the north Wales coast at Prestatyn. 'The Jam Butty Camp' as it is affectionately known was set up to provide respite for the poor children of industrial Salford and continues to help many children living in poverty today to enjoy a well-deserved break by the seaside.
Emma won praise for her Cilla Black statue in Liverpool which she created with Andy Edwards. The dress Cilla is portrayed wearing has lyrics, images, song titles and signatures included on it. Cilla’s hands were modelled on Emma’s friend Sue Wright, wife of former Liverpool FC captain Mark Wright.
