The Wild Frontier Memorial Project has unveiled the first images of a planned statue honoring legendary guitarist Gary Moore in Belfast, as organizers launch a final fundraising push to complete the memorial. The project, which aims to erect a statue of the Thin Lizzy guitar legend in his hometown, is now seeking fan support after releasing "first impression" images of the completed clay model.
Renowned sculptor David A. Annand, selected for his artistic merit and notable for creating the acclaimed Billy Connolly statue in Glasgow, has finished the full-size clay model of the Gary Moore statue. The work has received approval from the late rock and blues legend's family, marking a significant milestone in the memorial project.
Gary Moore's connection to Belfast runs deep, as he grew up in the city before moving to Dublin as a teenager. It was in Dublin where he formed a lasting friendship with Thin Lizzy's iconic lead singer Phil Lynott. The two musicians would collaborate extensively, performing together with Skid Row, Thin Lizzy, and as solo artists throughout their careers.
Moore achieved global recognition with his 1990 album "Still Got The Blues," which became a worldwide hit and solidified his reputation as a master guitarist. His exceptional talent led to collaborations with music legends including Ozzy Osbourne, B.B. King, George Harrison, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker. Moore passed away on February 6, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of influential blues and rock music.
Belfast City Council has expressed full support for the statue project and is currently working to secure an appropriate location within the city's cultural and tourism district. While dedicated fan support has successfully covered the costs of creating the clay impression, which is now secured and ready for bronze casting, the project still requires an additional £70,000 to complete the statue and cover transportation costs from the artist's studio in Scotland to Belfast for installation.
To bridge this funding gap, organizers have launched an online crowdfunding campaign. Additionally, fans continue to host annual Gary Moore tribute concerts as fundraising events to support the memorial project.
Patricia Moore, Gary's sister, expressed her emotional response to seeing the statue images for the first time. "It was overwhelming to see the first images of Gary's statue. It now feels like a reality," she said. "We always wanted this to be a statue that Gary's fans had ownership of. We wanted to allow every fan to say, 'I helped put this statue here.'" She added, "It feels so close but there's still a way to go. We are all looking forward to a day when people will visit Belfast to pay their respects to Gary and the statue. We just need a big push to get the funding needed, and we hope fans will be encouraged with the clay model images!"
Sculptor David A. Annand brings impressive credentials to the project, having created numerous award-winning memorial works. His portfolio includes memorials for Irish road-racing legends William and Robert Dunlop in Northern Ireland, a sculpture of Hollywood screen legend Philip Seymour Hoffman at New York's Eastman Museum, a statue of golfer Old Tom Morris at St Andrews in Scotland, and a Marie Curie memorial in Belfast.
Reflecting on the project, Annand expressed his honor in creating the memorial. "It's with great pride that I have been entrusted to create an impression of Gary Moore for his native city, Belfast," he said. "Gary was a wonderful guitar player, and I hope the joy he brought to so many with his talent will be revisited when his statue takes pride of place in his wonderful city."
The Gary Moore statue campaign continues to accept donations through its official crowdfunding page, as supporters work toward the goal of honoring one of Belfast's most celebrated musical exports with a permanent memorial in his hometown.
