‘She sat for him 12 times’: The Nigerian artist who made a bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II
‘She took up with many men’: Queen Elizabeth, pictured with Nigerian artist Asuman Osuntokun, in 1992
Asuman Osuntokun’s sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II has caused the nation to talk about love and marriage
Osuntokun made his first sculpture in 1972 before marrying the artist and has made several others
Osuntokun’s Queen Elizabeth II sculpture has sparked a debate about the institution of marriage and the role of women in the Royal Family.
Now the Queen has taken a look at the sculpture in a television documentary.
As she turned to take a glance at the sculpture in a house in London, the Queen asked the BBC host to explain her position on the subject of the sculpture.
Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen was shown by the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg
The Queen, pictured in April, said: ‘I’ve not seen it yet but will I be surprised?’
‘It’s in very high quality plaster. I have already talked to the designer and others and they are confident that it will be good,’ BBC journalist Laura Kuenssberg told The Daily Mail.
Osuntokun said he was unaware of how his work would influence the Queen’s visit to London.
‘If you want to do something good, it’s not the biggest problem in the world,’ he said.
The sculpture is of Queen Elizabeth II dressed in a white gown. With a diamond patterned petticoat and her long brunette hair flowing behind her, Osuntokun has made a sculpture which has, in recent days, prompted a debate about the role of women in the Royal Family, and the concept of love and marriage.
Osuntokun said he wasn’t aware of what effect it would have. He said: ‘If you want to do something good, it’s not the biggest problem in the
