The Making of an Iconic Queen Elizabeth II Sculpture
At HGH Granite, we had the great privilege of working with renowned Canadian sculptor Ruth Abernethy on the commemorative Queen Elizabeth II sculpture for the Provincial Legislature at Queen’s Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
This project was a remarkable journey filled with challenges, collaborations, and triumphs. We’re excited to take you behind the scenes to share our experience in creating the granite base for this iconic sculpture.
Collaborating with sculptor Ruth Abernethy
Ruth Abernethy, who designed and hand-sculpted the bronze statue, depicted Queen Elizabeth II as she appeared in 1977, delivering a speech on Canadian unity in the Canadian Senate. Ruth’s personal connection with the Queen, having met her and previously created a bronze in 2016 to commemorate 65 years on the throne, brought an authentic touch to this project.
Ruth came to HGH with an idea for the base, and we used our experience to create a stand-out piece, refining it and making necessary changes throughout the design process.
We also got to work closely with MST Bronze, who supplied the bronze for the statue and the coin mounted on the granite base. We’ve worked with this company on some spectacular projects in the past, so it was great to collaborate with them again.
Crafting the Granite Base
HGH Granite was tasked with creating the massive granite base on which the statue of the late monarch now sits. Along with MST Bronze, we collaborated with some brilliant partners: Roof Tile Management Inc., the contractor and Trinity Custom Masonry Limited, who handled the installation.
This 150% lifesize statue captures Queen Elizabeth II during a pivotal moment in history, and our granite base needed to reflect the same grandeur and significance.
Initial hurdles and political dynamics
The project, which began as a dream of a private donor, faced numerous political and financial challenges. Originally conceived as a privately backed initiative to be unveiled in 2017, fundraising efforts fell short. Eventually, the government allocated $1.5 million to ensure the statue’s completion. Premier Doug Ford highlighted the statue as a tribute to a monarch who loved Canada and visited often.
Design changes and challenges
The project spanned over four years, during which time we faced numerous design changes from the stakeholders involved. Despite being asked to make adjustments, we also knew we were only able to make very marginal increases to the price to accommodate these design changes. So we had to work around that. One notable instance was when one department expressed reservation about the granite – after it had been cut!
We’re happy to say that we resolved the challenges, and the artist Ruth Abernethy had this to say about us, ‘We had to go back to the drawing board again and again to come up with a price that was feasible. It was important to build it in a way that was cost effective. It’s tax payers’ money and in that respect, everybody has a stake in it. Neil at HGH did a fabulous job to go back and look at the possibilities and came up with a solution that was effective in every way.’
External factors and sensitivity
Starting in 2019, we encountered significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues such as sourcing materials, availability, and rising costs added complexity.
Additionally, the team at the Ministry of Legislative Affairs had to navigate the sensitive issue of indigenous representation. The artist and the government consulted with indigenous leaders to ensure their voices were part of the conversation. At the unveiling, Chief R. Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte offered prayers, and Young Creek Big Drum, Anishinaabe from the Wikwemikong First Nation, performed drumming and singing.
Political and social climate
The project also unfolded during the highly publicized exit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. We were mindful of not becoming part of the debate and worked diligently to maintain a neutral stance. Despite these challenges, we managed to assemble the sculpture at HGH and brought stakeholders on-site to review it.
Fortunately, after all the ups and downs, the government officials loved it – and approved the final piece with enthusiasm.
Happy results!
Creating the granite base for the Queen Elizabeth II sculpture at the Ontario Parliament Buildings was a rollercoaster of emotions, a bit of politics, and meticulous craftsmanship. Despite the numerous challenges, our collaboration with Ruth Abernethy and the other partners involved resulted in a memorable tribute to a significant monarch – and we’re super proud of the results.
The piece was unveiled to the public in November 2023 amid much publicity, and a documentary has been filmed about the making of the sculpture, featuring yours truly, HGH!
Watch the making of the video produced by North Brothers Films:
At HGH, we pride ourselves on sourcing the finest granite and providing the best service to our valued clients. Whether you’re an artist, memorial or architecture client, you can get in touch with our expert team for support and advice today.
