Save Joseph’s statue of St Luke
23 May 2013
Did you know that much of the external statuary of Nottingham Council House is by the former Principal of Nottingham School of Art, Joseph Else (1875-1955)?
Else was responsible for the famous lions guarding the entrance, for the frieze above the Ballroom windows (representing ancient local industries) and for the figures in the principal facade’s pediment (depicting the arts and public service).
Another of his works dates from 1934 and is the statue of St Luke, the patron saint of artists, and is on the exterior of St Luke’s House, the galleries and studio of the Nottingham Society of Artists in Friar Lane, Nottingham.
Unfortunately this historic statue is in urgent need of restoration and so the Nottingham Society of Artists, together with the Nottingham Civic Society are holding an exhibition called “Save St Luke, Nottingham Our City” to help to fund the restoration of the statue and celebrate the heritage of the city.
Joseph Else was vice-president of the NSA in 1934 when St Luke’s House was built, and contributed by creating this wonderful statue.
Nottingham life, architecture, and heritage will be the subjects of the paintings, drawings and prints of the artists of the Nottingham Society of Artists. The Nottingham Civic Society will be contributing photographs of the city.
The show runs from 8-16 June at St Luke’s House, 71-73 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DH and is open between 10.00 am - 4.30 pm. Admission is free. Visit www.nottinghamartists.org