Tucked away in the winding side streets of Mayfair, visitors might unexpectedly encounter a fascinating piece of London's cultural history brought to life in bronze. Three striking sculptures on Bourdon Place W1 capture a moment frozen in time from the swinging sixties, depicting the legendary fashion photographer Terence Donovan photographing the iconic model Twiggy near his studio, along with an onlooking shopper witnessing this historic scene.
These remarkable bronze sculptures were created by acclaimed sculptor Neal French in 2012 as part of Grosvenor's property development project at 40-54 Grosvenor Hill. The artwork was specifically inspired by one of Donovan's most famous photographs of Twiggy leaning against old mews doors, a shot that perfectly captured the essence of 1960s London fashion photography. The connection to the location runs deep, as Terence Donovan actually operated his photography studio on nearby Bourdon Street during his career.
The creation of these sculptures involved careful collaboration with the subjects' representatives and families. The Donovan Family Trust provided original photographs of the renowned photographer for French to work from, ensuring historical accuracy in the artistic representation. Additionally, Grosvenor consulted directly with Twiggy herself during the development process, and the legendary model expressed her full support for the ambitious artwork proposal.
What makes these sculptures particularly striking is their unconventional presentation. Rather than being mounted on traditional plinths or pedestals, the bronze figures are embedded directly into the ground, creating the illusion that they are real people who have simply been frozen in time. This unique installation approach works perfectly since Bourdon Place is a pedestrianized street, allowing visitors to walk safely among the sculptures without concern for vehicle traffic.
The artwork stands out among public art installations associated with building developments because there isn't an obvious direct connection between the redevelopment site and the sculptures themselves. However, this apparent disconnect actually enhances the experience, making it more delightful for pedestrians to stumble upon the installation and wonder about the story behind these mysterious bronze figures capturing a moment from London's cultural past.
On May 31, 2012, Twiggy herself unveiled the completed sculptures in a ceremony that brought together the various collaborators who made the project possible. The event marked the official dedication of this unique tribute to two of the most prominent figures from London's swinging sixties era.
Interestingly, the Donovan Family Trust has noted a minor historical inaccuracy in the sculpture's setting. While the artwork depicts Twiggy being photographed near Donovan's studio, historical records show that Donovan didn't actually move his studio to Bourdon Street until the 1970s, which was after he had already stopped doing model photography. However, the family archive rightfully points out that this small chronological discrepancy doesn't diminish the sculptures' impact as an affectionate and genuinely surprising tribute to these cultural icons.
For those interested in visiting this hidden artistic gem, Bourdon Place is conveniently located next to Berkeley Square in Mayfair, positioned approximately halfway between the Bond Street and Green Park tube stations. The pedestrian-only street provides an intimate setting where visitors can appreciate the detailed craftsmanship of French's bronze work while imagining themselves as witnesses to this iconic moment from London's fashion photography golden age.
