In the 50th anniversary year of Dr Who, actor Colin Baker who played the Time Lord in the mid 80s is being immortalised in bronze resin.
Wendover sculptor Andrew Sinclair is creating a bust of the actor, as well as Buckinghamshire County Council chairman Carl Etholen who attended their first sitting on Monday (July 8).
While Mr Sinclair was busy taking photographs and measurements of his subjects his partner Diane Coates said: “We are trying to raise the profile of figurative sculpture in Buckinghamshire and indeed nationwide because in the last few years there has been an emphasis on conceptual and abstract art. And we are trying to bring back elements of traditional sculpture.”
Mr Sinclair, who will unveil the final lifesize busts at a fundraising event for the MS Centre in Halton in September, told his subjects:
“I want to make something you are really proud of owning instead of just something to chuck a hat on.”
Mr Baker said he had received lots of sculptures and portraits from devoted Dr Who fans over the years, but he has never sat for a professional sculptor before.
He said: “I’m a willing and excited participant and veryhonoured. Apparantly I can keep it. Usually I put anything to do with me in the downstairs loo. All my tardis and daleks are in there.
“But I think this may merit a wider audience.”
Indeed Mr Sinclair will keep an exact artist’s replica of the busts which will be used in exhibitions.
BCC chairman Mr Etholen was equally delighted and said: “This is a first for me and I’m very excited to support the local arts in Buckinghamshire.
“I think the bust will probably go on display in the Judges Lodgings. Historically busts used to be made of chairman but these days it tends to be photographs.”
Mr Sinclair said: “i hope these busts of Colin Baker and Carl Etholen will demonstrate to the public the value of this type of work.”