Cumbria artist plans to sculpt 20-foot Jesus on rock face

Shawn Williamson, who was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2008, has set his sights on creating the piece and is keen to hear from anyone with suggested locations, or who would like to sponsor his huge work of faith.

The image Mr Williamson aims to use is based on the Holy Shroud of Turin, a subject close to his heart.

He has written an article based on the story for the Roman Catholic publication Universe.

The controversial shroud is believed by many to be the cloth which was used to wrap Jesus in after his death on the cross.

As for the Face of Christ carving, the Cockermouth-based artist said there were two elements to it: “I wanted to do it first of all for the spiritual side, in these spiritually bereft times.

“Secondly, for the educational benefit, to involve other people in the process.

“Stonecraft is diminishing because of the lack of young people being trained.

“And Cumbria is one of the last strongholds of stonecraft.

“The industry here is manag-ing to stay buoyant because of the quality of the stone and the fact there are the craftsmen.

“However, nationally it’s in decline and the Goverment has recognised that if it is not addressed in the next 25 years it will disappear altogether.”

Meanwhile, Mr Williamson is busy putting the final touches to a prehistoric fish sculpture.

Using Brathay slate in conjunction with Kirkstone Quarries, he hopes to sell the seven foot sculpture of a coela-canth, to raise money for tools and equipment to work on his proposed image of Jesus, which he thinks will take four to six months to complete.

Mr Williamson is probably best-known for his giant statue of the Herdwick ram on the A66 roundabout, near Cockermouth, and the lion statue on Workington’s Oxford Street.

He was nominated for the prestigious RSA award in recognition of the work he has undertaken in bringing an educational element into the arts and getting young people involved with big projects.