12-02-2025
Sheldonian Emperor Heads: Oxford sculptor to be honoured
A renowned sculptor who carved the replacement figure heads at Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre is to be celebrated in a new exhibition. Oxford sculptor Michael Black, who died in 2019, was known for restoring the Emperor Heads, as well as stonework at churches and colleges across the city. The exhibition, Michael Black: Chisel, Wood, Stone, will feature material loaned by his family, including three short films made from archival footage of the artist at home and will run from 15 March to 1 June at Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock.
Councillor Neil Fawcett, from Oxfordshire County Council, said: "This is an opportunity to discover this important artist's legacy."Through loans and archival material from Black's family we are treated to an intimate insight into the artist's life."The original set of 13 Emperor Heads was commissioned by Sir Christopher Wren and carved by William Byrd when the Sheldonian was built between 1664 and 2019, two new heads were temporarily added to represent women from different ethnic backgrounds. An artichoke-shaped fountain, which once served wine, will also be on display in the museum's garden during the exhibition.
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