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Nick Park has spoken of his emotion at seeing the new statue of Feathers McGraw outside Animate in Preston city centre.
Prestonian and Oscar winner Nick was joined by the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Phil Crowe, to unveil the new bronze sculpture today (Thursday 20 February).
The identity of the statue had been a closely guarded secret to protect the public from the criminal mastermind that is Feathers.
As the Wallace and Gromit creator and Cllr Crowe threw back the red cover from the statue, cheers rang out, quickly followed by boos – led by a smiling Nick.
Asked how he felt about the statue, Nick said: “Growing up in Preston, I used to make animated films as a teenager. I came into Preston a lot and would scour the library for information on animation.
“I remember reading books about Disney and how it all started with a mouse, and I used to secretly dream of my characters one day being known – and I never thought it would come to this. I was such a shy boy at school, I have to pinch myself to think what’s happening on a day like this.”
Nick went on to reflect on the pride he feels seeing Prestonians respond so positively to his work.
“It’s wonderful to see something here for the people of Preston. You can never imagine those 21 million people who have been watching [Vengeance Most Fowl], so when you come to Preston, they’re real people.
“Prestonians have always been salt of the earth, they’re all amazing and lovely. To see how much they appreciate what we’ve done is quite emotional, because you can see what it means to people.”
Read more: Wallace and Gromit Vengeance Most Fowl is a Christmas cracker with plenty of nods to Preston
Merlin Crossingham, Bafta award-winning Creative Co-Director of Wallace and Gromit at Aardman, added: “It’s heartwarming to see the city so happy. I’m very proud to have been part of the creative process to bring that sculpture to Preston, but it’s really very nice for Nick to have that in his hometown. It’s amazing that Preston city has embraced it and obviously Prestonians feel the same way.”
The Feathers statue was created in bronze at the Castle Fine Arts Foundry in Wales, the same place that produced the Wallace and Gromit bench.
Asked about the creative process for Feathers – who is holding a remote control and staring directly at Wallace and Gromit – Chris Jones from Castle Fine Arts Foundry said: “The challenge is translating something from a small maquette, used for the animation, into a large scale piece while still retaining life in it.
“The whole thing with public art – and why this is such a major project for us – is that you want people to connect with it.
“Feathers was looking at us for about a year in the Foundry with his wee beady eyes, and there’s something about his non-expression that really works. I think that connection between the two pieces animates the whole space.
“In terms of the people that have worked on it at Aardman, all their work is hand animation. At the Foundry we’ve got 50 people and again, everything is handmade. It’s nice that those skills have translated into something that’s very accessible for everyone who lives here.
“You never quite know until it’s in place, but I feel very proud of everyone at the Foundry.”
About Feathers McGraw
Feathers is the silent, villainous penguin who first appeared as the main antagonist in The Wrong Trousers. A criminal mastermind, he disguises himself as a chicken using a red rubber glove on his head, fooling Wallace and local law enforcement. He was exposed as a penguin when Wallace and Gromit foiled his planned museum diamond heist.
Like Gromit, Feathers communicates through facial expressions and body language. His name is revealed in a newspaper headline: Feathers McGraw back inside. He returned for revenge in Vengeance Most Fowl, using Wallace’s inventions against him.
Watch as Feathers is unveiled, or see it on YouTube
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