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Blantyre is probably best known as being the home town of Scottish physician, missionary and explorer Dr David Livingston.
Throughout the world, there are many statues and memorials dedicated to Livingstone. However, one of the largest is situated in the grounds of the visitor centre that is dedicated to his life and work, which was also his birthplace.
This magnificent sculpture is based on a real-life event, when Livingstone was attacked by a lion on the 16th February 1844. It also features two of his companions falling to the ground, both of whom were African natives. Although the lion was eventually shot dead, the injuries to his arm from the lion’s bites were so severe that he was incapacitated for many years after this incident.
The original sculpture of this statue was made by award-winning animator Ray Harryhausen, who was renowned for the special effects he created for blockbusting movies, such as Clash of The Titans and Jason And The Argonauts. He was also married to Diana Livingston Bruce, the great-granddaughter of Livingston.
It took twelve years to complete, from creating a small sculpture out of beeswax, to the casting of the sculpture out of bronze by Irish artist Gareth Knowles. The project was funded by The National Trust of Scotland and was unveiled in April 2004.
Harryhausen was inspired to create the statue, after he and his wife visited the museum. He felt that the museum needed more than just a visitor centre to “attract customers.” He explains it all in a video, which you can view by clicking HERE.
To view more works by Gareth Knowles, click HERE.
To visit Gareth Knowles website, click HERE.
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