HRH The Prince of Wales announced as Patron of national tercentenary celebration
The Grinling Gibbons Society is delighted to announce that HRH The Prince of Wales will be Patron of the national festival (August 2021 to August 2022), Grinling Gibbons 300: Carving a Place in History, celebrating the life, genius and legacy of this extraordinary man.
Commenting on the Royal Patronage, Mark Aspinall (Master Mercer), Chair of the Grinling Gibbons Society, responsible for master-planning the GG300 Festival said: ‘It is a tremendous honour for this festival to receive the Patronage of The Prince of Wales. As Patron, His Royal Highness brings recognition to the indelible mark that Grinling Gibbons has left on the cultural identity of the nation.’
Grinling Gibbons, legendary artist, sculptor, craftsman, and the greatest carver in British history died on 3 August 1721. Over the past 300 years, he has inspired craftsmanship and carving from his contemporaries to modern-day makers. Gibbons is a potent symbol of inspiration and achievement. He carved with an unsurpassed realism that could literally fool the eye. His name is synonymous with excellence.
The Prince of Wales is uniquely qualified as Patron of the tercentenary. Not only a passionate advocate of the arts and heritage, His Royal Highness also embodies the important connection with the Crown that Grinling Gibbons enjoyed across his career. From obscure beginnings Gibbons attained the greatest accolade – the King’s Carver – through his extraordinary talent and skill. He was commissioned by Charles II in the remodelling of Windsor Castle, and was subsequently appointed in 1693 by William III to be Master Sculptor and Carver to the Crown.
His Royal Highness is also well known for his long-standing and deep commitment to supporting traditional skills and heritage crafts through education, training and creating opportunities for emerging talent. This mirrors the Tercentenary purpose to celebrate Gibbons’ legacy by promoting and sustaining present-day craftsmanship and inspiring new generations of skilled makers.
