ELY ON-LINE - The Virgin Mary Statue by David Wynne in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral

The Virgin Mary Statue by David Wynne

statue sign

david wynne virgin mary charlie dimmock

A recent edition of national newspaper the News of The World carried a small article about this statue by David Wynne which is sited in the Cathedral's Lady Chapel - it stated under a small headline of "Quite contrary over Mary" - "A controversial new statue of the Virgin Mary in Ely Cathedral has failed to grow on visitors. They moan the strawberry blonde Madonna looks like bra-less TV gardener Charlie Dimmock."
OK - so what do you think ? Give us your verdict - e-mail : madonna@ely.org.uk
"For someone who has not grown up in a Catholic environment, the step towards a modern Mary is smaller to make than to one that looks like it comes from the Middle Ages or earlier. I have always found the classical Mary statues and images quite remote, dreary, over-chaste and unreal. I have never been able to understand how they can still generate devotion, either, although I am fascinated by a balance of male and female elements in the Church. I am looking for a small statue of Mary for in my living room, and if a small version of David Wynne's creation existed, it might well be the one I am looking for. Met vriendelijke groeten / with kind greetings. May the Lord bless you and keep you always." -
Jaap Theunisz, Licensed Reader, The Netherlands.
Comment 18th Jan 2012:
"When I saw it, I found it stunning, and have directed people to it ever since. Leaving aside the blonde hair, I would say that there were unlikely to have been bras in the 1st Century AD, and I understand that the pose adopted is the way men were given to pray in those times. For me, there is a power in this aspect of Mary which we don't think about often enough. This is not "Mother Mary, meek and mild". This is the Mary of the Magnificat, giving thanks and praise to the God of Moses and Elijah." - Steve Mack.

Comment 4th Feb 2012:
"Seeing the statue of Mary in the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral has got my year off to an excellent start. I find the image of a strong and vibrant woman an inspiration for myself and all women. It is great to see the church offering a strong, healthy and powerful image for womanhood. A great alternative to the 2 usual interpretations of women in religious art; gentle Mary the mother – the Madonna. or dodgy dangerous Mary ( Magdalene) the fallen woman or the female temptress (Eve) - the whore. Thank you David Wynne and those who commissioned this sculpture." - Liz Lewis

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	A recent edition of national newspaper the News of The World carried a small article about this statue by David Wynne which is sited in the Cathedral's Lady Chapel - it stated under a small headline of "Quite contrary over Mary" - "A controversial new statue of the Virgin Mary in Ely Cathedral has failed to grow on visitors. They moan the strawberry blonde Madonna looks like bra-less TV gardener Charlie Dimmock." OK - so what do you think ? Give us your verdict - e-mail : madonna@ely.org.uk "For someone who has not grown up in a Catholic environment, the step towards a modern Mary is smaller to make than to one that looks like it comes from the Middle Ages or earlier. I have always found the classical Mary statues and images quite remote, dreary, over-chaste and unreal. I have never been able to understand how they can still generate devotion, either, although I am fascinated by a balance of male and female elements in the Church. I am looking for a small statue of Mary for in my living room, and if a small version of David Wynne's creation existed, it might well be the one I am looking for. Met vriendelijke groeten / with kind greetings. May the Lord bless you and keep you always." - Jaap Theunisz, Licensed Reader, The Netherlands. Comment 18th Jan 2012: "When I saw it, I found it stunning, and have directed people to it ever since. Leaving aside the blonde hair, I would say that there were unlikely to have been bras in the 1st Century AD, and I understand that the pose adopted is the way men were given to pray in those times. For me, there is a power in this aspect of Mary which we don't think about often enough. This is not "Mother Mary, meek and mild". This is the Mary of the Magnificat, giving thanks and praise to the God of Moses and Elijah." - Steve Mack. Comment 4th Feb 2012: "Seeing the statue of Mary in the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral has got my year off to an excellent start. I find the image of a strong and vibrant woman an inspiration for myself and all women. It is great to see the church offering a strong, healthy and powerful image for womanhood. A great alternative to the 2 usual interpretations of women in religious art; gentle Mary the mother – the Madonna. or dodgy dangerous Mary ( Magdalene) the fallen woman or the female temptress (Eve) - the whore. Thank you David Wynne and those who commissioned this sculpture." - Liz Lewis