Andrew Burton was the winner of a competition set in 1992 by the Museum, where this fibreglass sculpture now stands. The tower represents the Clock Tower, and the hooks symbolise local industry.
Andrew Burton was born in Bromley, Kent, in 1961. He studied at the Department of Fine Art, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Following further study at the British Academy, he returned to the University, where he is now Head of the Department.
Burton’s interest in India and Indian culture began with his first visit in 1983, and in 1985 he received a British Academy Travel Award to further his travels there. His attention was drawn to Indian architecture and beasts of burden, and by combining the two in his sculpture he has produced images that provoke mystery and wonder. The impossibility of an elephant carrying a castle or factory becomes a reality in his sculpture.
Other major commissions include work for Newcastle Business Park, the City of Durham, Loanhead, Edinburgh, and Dudley, West Midlands.
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The statue seems tucked away out of sight and out of place next to the church
[Andrew, the elephant is just outside the entrance to Stevenage Museum, which is in the crypt of the church. If you look carefully, you will see there is a footpath — marked as a red dotted line on the map — passing to the south of the church and leading to an underpass under St. George’s Way, giving access to Market Place. There are steps leading down to the Museum from this path, and you can stand right next to the statue. Ed.]
An interesting sculpture with strong eastern overtones. To me it always seems at odds with the church setting