Sculptor James Butler, known for his two iconic Stratford statues, has died aged 90
JAMES Butler, one of Britain’s foremost sculptors, and known locally for his two iconic Stratford statues, has died aged 90.
His wife, the writer and travel company founder Angie Butler, said she was saddened to confirm that he died at home following a short illness and surrounded by his family on 26th March.
The couple lived near Edgehill, where James had a large studio. He and Angie were parents to four daughters, Rosie, Saskia, Candida and Aurelia; James also had a son, Tom, and daughter, Kate, from two previous marriages.
James was known for his two works in Henley Street: the large and imposing sculpture of Shakespeare, installed in early 2020, and the jovial Jester who mounted his plinth in 1994.
The two statues were commissioned by businessman Tony Bird and gifted to the town.
Remembering his friend, Tony said: “James was such a cool and calm person. He was a marvellous man, and despite his talent and cleverness he was quiet and unassuming. When we were discussing work, there would be a twinkle in his eye. Nothing fazed him.”
James had already started a third work commissioned by Tony before he died. Describing it, Tony said: “It was like a huge Christmas cake with Shakespeare on it with arms open and around the base were the figures from the Seven Ages of Man (Shakespeare’s description from As You Like It). I was hoping to find a place for it in the town centre.”
He added: “I can’t believe James has gone, I didn’t think he would ever die, it’s just so sad. Not long ago, when he was doing the Shakespeare statue, he was up and down ladders, fit as a fiddle.”
As well as Stratford, James was commissioned to create iconic or much-loved figures throughout communities in Britain, including Richard III in Leicester and footballer Billy Wright in Wolverhampton.
Born on 25th July 1931 in south London, James spent most of his childhood in West Malling, Kent. A gifted artist from a young age, he went on to study at St Martin’s Art College. While there he met stone carver Gerald Giudici, who offered him an apprenticeship.
At one point in his career, in the 1960s, he created stage sculptures for productions of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, and also waxworks for Madame Tussauds.
He came to prominence in 1972, when he joined the Royal Academy and worked on international commissions, including a huge sculpture of the Kenyan president, Jomo Kenyatta, in Nairobi. He did a similar large-scale bronze of the Queen, which celebrated the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, and was installed at Runnymede, in Surrey.
