Click here to view video
Artist Roger Andrews is in the final stages of completing a bronze image of Sir Tasker Watkins, VC, who rose to prominence in the fields of law, the military and rugby.
The sculptor has almost finished creating a clay model of the work which will eventually be transformed into a nine foot tall bronze which will be placed on the walkway leading into the Millennium Stadium.
Today he revealed the work to friends of Sir Tasker who commissioned the statue to seek approval for the likeness of his work to the man he will immortalise in bronze.
Roger Andrews said: “This is by far the most thrilling project I have ever been involved in. I am so pleased that this statue of such a famous and well respected Welshman will be permanently housed outside the home of rugby here in Wales.
“If I never completed another work I am certain this is the one sculpture I passionately wanted to create. In order to achieve a true likeness of the man I have spoken to many of his friends and family because I wanted capture his character as well as his physical likeness.
“Everyone I have talked to has spoken in awe of Sir Tasker who was clearly a great Welshman and also a genuinely likeable individual.”
The work was commissioned by the Welsh Rugby Union, the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff County Council with backing from the retired entrepreneur Mr Stanley Thomas senior.
The statuette was unveiled at the Llantwit Major workshop where Roger Andrews has built an international reputation as a sculptor of human figures and landmark buildings.
The clay model will now be refined before a foundry will create a mould which will be filled with molten bronze to create the one-ton statue.
WRU President Dennis Gethin said: “I am thrilled with the way this project is progressing and I am now confident the finished work will be a magnificent tribute to a great man.
“Sir Tasker has already written his own place in our history but this statue will truly acknowledge the debt of gratitude and the respect we owe him as a nation.
“Sir Tasker was a quietly spoken individual who commanded a great presence wherever he went and achieved great things in each endeavour he pursued.”
Mr Stan Thomas added: “I am delighted that for generations to come the people who visit the Millennium Stadium will learn about Sir Tasker and his great achievements.”
The work is due to be completed within months and the finished statue will be unveiled at a ceremony in Cardiff during November.
Roger Andrews’ work will now be viewed by Sir Tasker’s family for their approval and advice before the statue is sculpture is finished.
Sir Tasker was a judge who rose to become the Deputy Chief Justice of England and Wales and Honorary Life Vice Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.
