My visit to Pauls Jaunzem’s sculpture park in Riga, Latvia inspired the exploration of sculptures and monuments in Leamington which were under my nose. For decades I had passed them by as I sauntered through the Parade and Jephson’s gardens. After joining the Leamington History Group, I took a free walking tour of lower Leamington. The expert guide pointed them out and shared the stories. But what of my initial inspiration?
A daily tonic
Imagine waking up and seeing immense sculptures through the bedroom window on the banks of Bullope River; nature’s cyclorama of ten thousand scintillating suns reflected in the Bullope River. This was my daily tonic when I visited Latvia last year at the invitation of leading sculptor Pauls Jaunzems and his family. I was introduced to Pauls’ Sculpture park on the banks of the Bullope river, which showcases 35 massive, granite sculptures, many of which weigh up to three tons. The park was established over the course of 27 years in Vakarbullais, Riga, and attracts tourists, nature lovers and art enthusiasts alike; it is situated in a conservation area surrounded by pine forests and natures trails. Over time, it has become a tourist attraction for Latvians and visitors worldwide.
I had the opportunity to observe Pauls at work and to discuss his process and the inspiration behind his compelling stone stories. As a student at the Latvian Academy of Arts, Pauls Jaunzems became convinced that sculpture was the art form in which he could “encode his thoughts, emotions and feelings in stone images by transforming them into a sculptural form”.
History through sculpture
I thought of this with regards to one monument that I had passed by without paying keen attention in Jephson’s gardens; the Czech Memorial fountain. I had read about the contribution of Czech soldiers to the World War 2, but I had no knowledge that the fountain was meant to honour those who served in the Czech Free Army based in Leamington Spa, and particularly to remember the seven Czech men who were parachuted into Czechoslovakia in a daring attempt to assassinate Nazi general Reinhard Heydrich. What I thought was an ornate mushroom is in fact a monument in the shape of a parachute to remember all the Czechoslovakian forces then stationed on Leamington Spa who laid down their lives in this mission and who fought in World War 2 alongside British forces.
Inspired and impressed
At 71 Pauls remains passionate about and committed to sharing his work world wide and learning from other sculptors. He has attended international symposia worldwide and enjoys the collaboration and cross fertilization only possible in international gatherings. In addition to being inspired by Latvian sculptors, Pauls has studied the achievements of other global titans. Deeply concerned about social, political and economic challenges including materials shortages and inflation, Pauls is convinced that “the arts play a special role in inspiring society” and these sculptures in both Latvia and Leamington have certainly inspired me.
I was impressed with Pauls’s deep reverence for stone, his determination to share and encourage others to tell their own stone stories and his keenness to observe global trends in sculpture.
On my tour around Leamington, I found Leamington has both traditional and modern sculptures. For example, I recognised the imposing statue of Queen Victoria outside the Town Hall and many residents in Warwick District gather at the War Memorial Remembrance day, but who knows that the Blue Wave sculpture outside the Jug and Jester pub, Leamington Spa actually marks the location of the first spring found in the town in 1810, giving Leamington Spa its title as a Spa town? A controversial sculpture in 2011, its historical location in Leamington Spa remains unchallenged.
Thankyou
I remain deeply grateful to Pauls Jaunzems for introducing me to his remarkable sculptures in Riga, Latvia and inspiring me to explore the stories behind sculptures and monuments right here in Warwick District. Paldies. Thank you!
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