Statue

Oscar Wilde reclining

Erection date: 30/11/1998

Inscription

{Inscribed on the vertical face at the 'foot' end:}
A conversation with Oscar Wilde, 1854 - 1900
. . .
{Inscribed on the upper surface at the 'foot' end:}
We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.

Unveiled by Lucian Holland, Wilde's great grandson, who made the unveiling speech.  He was assisted by Stephen Fry who played Oscar in the 1997 film "Wilde". Jenkins did the inscription carving.

If Oscar has a cigarette in his hand when you see him you are in luck since it has been repeatedly stolen and replaced. In 2004 we heard that there were plans to protect the fag's fag with surveillance cameras. Hambling is particularly peeved since she is an avid smoker herself and sees this vandalism as possibly associated with the anti lobby. She visits Oscar occasionally and cleans out his head where people tend to deposit fag-ends, flowers and letters. She herself has furnished it with a starfish and a moon, in reference to the quote.

Site: Oscar Wilde reclining (1 memorial)

WC2, Adelaide Street

We think this location was chosen for its proximity to theatreland, where some of Wilde's plays were first performed, at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, the other side of Trafalgar Square.

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Oscar Wilde reclining

Subjects commemorated i

Oscar Wilde

Born in Dublin as Oscar Fingal O'Flaherty Wills Wilde. 'Importance of Being E...

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Oscar Wilde reclining

Created by i

Stephen John Fry

Actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer with professional...

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Maggie Hambling

Artist and sculptor.  Born Suffolk.

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