Morgan MacDonald Sculpture

Elliston Heritage Committee

morgan — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:44:46 +0000

Update Oct 8th, 2011

“Home From The Sea has commissioned renowned Newfoundland bronze sculptor and visual artist Morgan Macdonald to create the Sealers Memorial sculpture. The sculpture will depict the tragic death of SS Newfoundland sealers Reuben and Albert John Crewe, a father and son who were discovered frozen in an embrace. Macdonald’s talent has been showcased throughout the province and is well known across the country. Recent high-profile commissions include “The Rower” at Quidi Vidi Lake, “A Time” on George Street, St. John’s and “Monument of Honour” in Conception Bay South. Morgan MacDonald’s work encompasses a passion for Newfoundland and its storied past through realist, figurative, bronze work.”

Letter from the Honourable John C. Crosbie

Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Patron of the Sealers Memorial Campaign

I have always believed that the best way to move forward is to truly embrace our past. In recent years, a central thread in our province’s historic tapestry has been misunderstood and often misrepresented. Through sheer necessity, those who have made a home on these coasts–going back to the earliest Aboriginal people–have been sealers. It was the Innu and Inuit who showed the first Europeans the value of this resource. In fact, it was oil from the seals off Newfoundland and Labrador that fueled the earliest street lamps of London. Yet there has been little recognition of the contributions of sealers to our society and economy. With Home from The Sea, we are working to change that.

Two years ago, I was approached by the Elliston Heritage Foundation. This group recognized that the 100th anniversary of the 1914 sealing disasters was fast approaching and no memorial existed commemorating those lost in the tragedy. Nor did any memorial exist to the countless Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have lost their lives working in the seal fishery before or since.

I am convinced that the time has come for this memorial. We remain a society that makes its living from the sea. And from industry to labour groups to communities to families, we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder in our prayer that everyone who heads out on the water and the ice–whether a sealer, a fisher or an oil rig worker–will come home safe and sound.

It is with great pride that I invite you to join with me and other Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as we commemorate the sacrifices of those who faced hardship and danger to support their families and build our communities. In doing so, they helped lay the foundation for the amazing opportunities we enjoy today.

The Honourable John C. Crosbie, PC, OC, ONL, QC
Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland Sealers in Elliston

morgan — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:33:08 +0000

From The Elliston Heritage Committee and the Home from the Sea Website

www.Homefromthesea.ca

“Bonds that endure

Created by renowned bronze sculptor and visual artist Morgan MacDonald, the sculpture will be a representation of father and son Reuben and Albert John Crewe, residents of Elliston who perished in the 1914 SS Newfoundland sealing disaster.

One Story Among Many

In 1911, Reuben Crewe was one of a handful of sealers who swam to safety when their vessel sank in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Afterwards Reuben’s wife, Mary, insisted that he give up sealing. She could no longer bear the sleepless nights of worry for his safety.

The Crewe’s son, Albert John, was 16 and eager to go sealing in 1914. He secured a berth on the SS Newfoundland after much negotiating with his parents. Reuben, well aware of the dangers of sealing, reluctantly went with his son in hopes of keeping him safe.

Rescuers found Reuben and Albert John frozen in an embrace, the father attempting to shield his teenage son from the elements. Mary recounted later that she was awakened the night of the disaster to see Reuben and Albert John kneeling at her bed and that she was struck by the look of peace on their faces.

While this scene provides a compelling and heart-wrenching image of the disaster and the inspiration for the memorial sculpture, it also embodies the essence of the Home From The Sea campaign. It carries with it stories of courage, resilience, family ties and communities rallying together in times of tragedy. As a sea-going people, these are stories which continue to resonate and help define who we are.”

The Beothuk

morgan — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:42:21 +0000

Conception Bay South Monument of Honour

morgan — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:48:13 +0000

To stand on guard for thee

Sopron Hungary plaque

morgan — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:56:23 +0000

Hungary, Sopron Plaque

morgan — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:29:11 +0000

Sopron Hungary Alumni Plaque

Press for The Rower

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:32:17 +0000

Marine Atlantic Blue Puttees Plaque

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:20:33 +0000

Bronze plaque, 45″. Installed on the new Marine Atlantic ferry.

CBS Monument of Honour

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:10:48 +0000

Bronze, 6′ tall. A group of sculptures recognizing a number of servicemen and women (firefighters, RCMP, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, current day armed forces and WWI armed forces), commissioned by Conception Bay South Monument of Honour Committee.

Press Release from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Statue Unveiling

This November 11th, two sculptures representing the Royal Newfoundland Regiment are set to be unveiled at the CBS Monument of Honour in Long Pond.

These sculptures, one depicting an old comrade from the Blue Puttees of World War One in quiet repose, and a current day soldier on patrol will mark the first time in more than eighty years that a bronze statue(s) will be dedicated in Newfoundland to the famous Royal Newfoundland Regiment. It is also the first time that a contemporary Royal Newfoundland Regiment soldier has been cast in Bronze.

The Blue Puttee statue depicts an original First Five Hundred soldier looking back years after the end of the war. He stands in quiet reflection on the loss of many of his friends and comrades that he served with.

The present-day statue depicts a female soldier of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on Patrol. She represents all the Newfoundland soldiers that are currently facing life or death situations in armed conflicts around the globe. This statue is unique in that it may be the first female soldier to be depicted on active service to be dedicated in all of Canada, not just Newfoundland.

Local artist Morgan Macdonald, whose previous work included the The Rower near Quidi Vidi Lake, A Time on George Street, and the replica Beaumont-Hamel plaques to Newfoundland’s missing from the Great War for Bowring Park, was commissioned to sculpt and cast these statues right here at home.

The unveiling will take place 10:30am, followed by the Remembrance Day ceremony at 11am, November 11th, 2010.

Website Redesign

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:14:58 +0000

Welcome to my newly redesigned website at morgansculpt.ca!

Wayne Miller and Morgan MacDonald inspecting sculpture