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Public Statues and Sculpture Association

Greta Thunberg

Photo: © Christine Charlesworth

Sculptor: Christine Charlesworth

Founder: Milwyn Casting, Molesey, Surrey

Materials: Statue in bronze; base in Purbeck stone

Unveiled: 31 March 2021

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg (b. 2003), Swedish environmental activist, who campaigns about climate change and holds world leaders to account. She instigated School Strikes for Climate, spoke both at the 2018 UN Climate Change Conference and the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit. In 2019 she was the youngest ever Time Person of the Year. She has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times.Thunberg is depicted standing on a block of Purbeck stone, one hand clenched, her right arm stretched in front as if persuading people, her face looks as though she will speak with confidence. Charlesworth wanted to show that someone who had problems in life and who found mixing with people difficult, could still talk in public. The statue is designed to inspire other students, who may have their own problems, to take courage. Winchester University is one of the greenest in the country and this statue, called Make a Difference was funded through a percentage for art scheme from the costs of the new building. It is believed to be the first full-size statue of Thunberg.

Location: Outside the main entrance to the new building, West Downs Centre, Winchester University, Hants.