A new monument is set to be unveiled in Dorset, celebrating the life of Sylvia Townsend Warner, a pioneering feminist writer and LGBTQ+ activist. The statue, designed by Denise Dutton, depicts Warner sitting on a bench accompanied by a cat, a nod to her beloved pets and literary inspiration for one of her most famous works.
Warner's legacy has been largely overlooked in recent years, despite being a prolific writer who made significant contributions to literature during the 20th century. Her work includes novels such as "Lolly Willowes," which explores themes of feminism and witchcraft, as well as extensive poetry and short stories published in The New Yorker.
The campaign to erect the statue, led by Anya Pearson, was sparked by a desire to recognize Warner's achievements and promote greater representation of overlooked women in public spaces. The project received widespread support, with over 50 nominations shortlisted for consideration before being voted on by the public.
Pearson argues that statues serve as a powerful symbol of what towns choose to remember and celebrate, highlighting the importance of including women's stories in civic landscapes. "It's an antidote to symbolic annihilation," she says. "We're putting them back in the story."
The campaign has drawn parallels with other notable initiatives aimed at promoting female representation in public art. Visible Women UK, a loose grouping of organizations working on similar projects, includes statues already commissioned for writers Virginia Woolf and Aphra Behn.
In addition to Warner's statue, campaigners are also pushing for memorials to suffragette Mary Clarke in Brighton and factory worker Ada Nield Chew in Crewe. Johnson, who is part of the team working on these projects, envisions a series of figures at ground level that can be approached by schoolchildren as a reminder of the importance of courage and bravery.
The unveiling of Warner's statue marks an important step towards greater recognition of women's contributions to literature and society, serving as a powerful symbol of what it means to celebrate their stories.
Warner's legacy has been largely overlooked in recent years, despite being a prolific writer who made significant contributions to literature during the 20th century. Her work includes novels such as "Lolly Willowes," which explores themes of feminism and witchcraft, as well as extensive poetry and short stories published in The New Yorker.
The campaign to erect the statue, led by Anya Pearson, was sparked by a desire to recognize Warner's achievements and promote greater representation of overlooked women in public spaces. The project received widespread support, with over 50 nominations shortlisted for consideration before being voted on by the public.
Pearson argues that statues serve as a powerful symbol of what towns choose to remember and celebrate, highlighting the importance of including women's stories in civic landscapes. "It's an antidote to symbolic annihilation," she says. "We're putting them back in the story."
The campaign has drawn parallels with other notable initiatives aimed at promoting female representation in public art. Visible Women UK, a loose grouping of organizations working on similar projects, includes statues already commissioned for writers Virginia Woolf and Aphra Behn.
In addition to Warner's statue, campaigners are also pushing for memorials to suffragette Mary Clarke in Brighton and factory worker Ada Nield Chew in Crewe. Johnson, who is part of the team working on these projects, envisions a series of figures at ground level that can be approached by schoolchildren as a reminder of the importance of courage and bravery.
The unveiling of Warner's statue marks an important step towards greater recognition of women's contributions to literature and society, serving as a powerful symbol of what it means to celebrate their stories.
finally some recognition for this feminist writer & activist! her work is like totally iconic, especially "lolly willowes" 
i mean who wouldn't wanna read about a chick who outsmarts the system and lives life on her own terms? 
anya pearson's campaign is fire, gotta love that she's makin' it happen 
visible women uk is doin some amazing work too, let's keep pushin for more statues & memorials of unsung heroes 
. It's not just about honoring her legacy but also about promoting representation and diversity in public spaces. I mean, why should only famous men get their own monuments? 
We need more women like Warner being celebrated and recognized for their achievements. This is a great step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone's story matters 
... anyway, wanna know why warner's work is so overlooked in recent yrs tho? maybe its bc her books were always more about the cat than the woman herself lol just kidding (kinda) but seriously, what do u think makes a statue or memorial 'powerful' - is it just about the ppl who created them? 
I'm so stoked about this new monument in Dorset, finally giving Sylvia Townsend Warner the recognition she deserves! It's crazy that her legacy has been kinda ignored for ages, but I guess that's what happens when women's stories get pushed aside 
. Can't wait to see what other hidden gems get celebrated next! 
I love how Denise Dutton designed this statue too - the cat is such a nice touch 
and I'm all for putting women's stories in public spaces, it's about time we gave them some recognition 