“SPIRIT OF THE CITY” 1972 – 1973
From 1971 – 1974 Rose Garrard was one of a small group of Art Consultants advising Architects on improvements to existing problematic schemes, including Liverpool Shopping Precinct and Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, resulting in numerous commissions. This 10 metre high wall relief was commissioned by Raymond J Cecil Architects in 1972 for Catherine House, an existing office block being lavishly refurbished in external marble and stainless steel, near Old Street on the northern edge of the City of London. Although now a fashionable area, it was the first building in Shoreditch to undergo such a face-lift and at that time this was the largest bronze sculpture erected in the City of London since the war.
This work by Rose optimistically celebrates the “Spirit of the City” with two figures climbing to the top whilst also reaching down to help others ascend. Rose modelled the sculpture direct in plaster in three sections in her Hammersmith studio and it was cast into bronze at the Morris Singer Foundry in Basingstoke. After many months without receiving payment from her then agent, Rose resorted to legal action and payment was finally obtained at the court door. This experience made Rose wary of agents and Public Art commissions and she then concentrated instead on direct freelance work, mainly for BBC Television, to suppplement her income frompart-time lecturing.