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Cheryl Robson, writer and publisher, launched our project in 2017 to commission a statue of Virginia Woolf by artist Laury Dizengremel for Richmond-on-Thames, where Virginia lived with her husband Leonard from 1914 to 1924. The statue was unveiled on November 16th 2022 and is the first ever life-size bronze depiction of Virginia Woolf in the UK. The unveiling was covered by tv and press with Virginia's great-niece Emma Woolf (and her son Ludo) together with great-great niece Sophie Partridge carrying out the unveiling of the statue. The public response to the artwork and its location on the riverside has been extremely positive although there was some criticism of the location from a few elderly Richmond residents during the 5-year campaign.

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The campaign to raise the funds involved dozens of local volunteers and comprised videos, readings, talks, online events, film screenings, book publications, a reading challenge and crowdfunding. It was led by local writer and publisher Cheryl Robson with historian and writer Anne Sebba and writer and broadcaster Bamber Gascoigne appearing in the campaign video.

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The public expressed overwhelming support for the project with over 250 individual donations and thousands of likes and positive engagement on social media. Several larger donations came in from individuals and local donors: EA Change, Books on the Rise and London Borough of Richmond (Civic Pride fund).

Additional funds were raised online in 2020 following the criticism of the memorial to Mary Wollstonecraft designed by Maggi Hambling. The design and manufacture of the sculpture cost £50,000 with additional funds needed for shipping, installation, launch event, marketing and publicity.

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In an online gala during the pandemic many artists and writers took part including

MC: Linda Duberley, broadcaster and journalist

Musicians: Kyla Brox, Sister Cookie, Woolf and Music, Ralph Brookfield, Extra Mondays, Kasey Chambers

Writers: Sarah Gristwood, Mark Haddon, Emily Midorikawa and Emma Claire Sweeney, Frances Spalding, Anne Sebba

Comedienne: Clare Summerskill

Artists: Louisa Albani, Marta Di Francesco

Theatre: Katie Mitchell preparing her production of 'Orlando' in Paris; Marvellous Machine TC; 

Rebecca Mordan; Rebecca Vaughan.

Actors: Molly Gromadzski , Ceri-Anne Cissone, Alan Hunter

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Two books were published in aid of the campaign, namely Virginia Woolf in Richmond by Peter Fullagar (£12.99) and The Women Writers Handbook edited by Ann Sandham (£12.99). The latter contained both distinguished and newer writers together with useful tips for creative writing. Some of the writers who contributed are A.S. Byatt, Kit de Waal, Philippa Gregory, Jackie Kay, Clare Tomalin, Madeline Thein, Sarah Waters, and the great-niece of Virginia Woolf herself, Emma Woolf.

Online Supporters

Many people liked the concept of our Virginia Woolf statue from the outset including Margaret Atwood, Caitlin Moran, Jodi Picoult, Deborah Frances-White, Elizabeth Day, Caroline Criado Perez, Mark Haddon, Sarah Gristwood, James O'Brien, Phillip Pullman and Neil Gaiman. 

Local MP Sarah Olney, Lord Zac Goldsmith, Richmond Councillors Andree Frieze, Mayor Julia Cambridge, Peter Buckwell, John Coombs, Pamela Fleming and MEP Bill Newton-Dunn all endorsed the project too.

Public Consultations

Richmond Council held a public consultation in 2018 which was 83 % in favour of the statue project and planning permission was granted to site the statue on the upper terraces at Richmond Riverside near to the entrance to Heron Court.  In 2021 Richmond Council held another public consultation about locating the sculpture on Richmond Riverside. The outcome was 91% in favour with 88% of respondents being Richmond residents. In November 2021, Richmond Council voted unanimously to give Landowner Permission to site the sculpture on Richmond Riverside so that it can be part of the cultural offering in the historic part of the town.

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Future Virginia Projects

We celebrated Dalloway Day in mid-June at the Exchange in Twickenham

with a talk and literary walk. We also launched the anthology Virginia's Sisters
compiled by Gabi Reigh.

Further year-round literary events take place
at our home in the bookshop at Books on the Rise, 80 Hill Rise, Richmond
TW10 6UB. Come and say hello or call 0208 948 1427.

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Maquettes

You can purchase a beautiful miniature bronze version of the statue for £1200.
It makes a special gift for a loved one.

Proceeds will be shared with the artist and charity and go to help
maintain the statue. Contact Info@booksontherise.com to know more.

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 Donate now.

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