Oscar Wilde sculpture celebrating art and literature unveiled in Chelsea

In celebration of Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi's centenary year and the enduring legacy of Oscar Wilde, a new bronze sculpture titled "Head of Oscar Wilde" has been installed on Dovehouse Green, King's Road, Chelsea. Wilde resided at two different addresses in Tite Street, and his mother lived in nearby Oakley Street in Chelsea.

How was the work produced?

The Paolozzi Foundation granted special permission for this posthumous work to be produced, using the original maquette gifted to a Chelsea resident by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi CBE himself.
Supported by the Oscar Wilde Society and the Earl's Court Society, the sculpture is not only an asset to the area but brings together two Titans of the arts who lived and worked in Chelsea.

Adrian Barr-Smith from the Paolozzi Foundation said:
"The installation coincides with the centenary of Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi's birth year, celebrating his profound impact on British art. Situated on Dovehouse Green, a place of historical significance on King's Road, where Paolozzi himself lived and worked for over 40 years.
"We're delighted that it stands as the second Paolozzi work in Kensington and Chelsea, joining his existing bronze sculpture, "Head of Invention," which is displayed along the approach to the Design Museum on Kensington High Street."

Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, Deputy Leader, Culture, Economy and Skills said:
"The unveiling event of this fantastic artwork honours the 170th anniversary of Oscar Wilde who was born on this day 16 October 1854. The Head of Oscar Wilde commemorates the connection between Wilde and Chelsea, where he lived and wrote many of his most famous works, such as The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest.
"The local community and the Earl's Court Society have worked hard to support the project, and this fusion of art and literature is set to be a poignant tribute to two influential figures who left a lasting mark on Chelsea's cultural landscape that we're proud of."

Where was the sculpture cast?

The Head of Oscar Wilde was cast at the renowned Pangolin Foundry in England, Paolozzi's original choice, with the creation process was meticulously overseen by one of Paolozzi's past assistants, ensuring authenticity and respect for the artist's vision.

About Sir Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi CBE

Paolozzi (1924-2005), one of the most significant British artists of the late twentieth century, was known for his diverse and eclectic approach, drawing inspiration from a wide array of cultural references, including Hollywood, science, junkyards, and the classical art of Michelangelo.