Installed in 1981, The Messenger statue stands tall. It is located in Sutton, Greater London. Have you noticed the horse and its rider?
The Messenger is the work of English sculptor David Wynne. He was commissioned to create this artwork. The company wanted to illustrate communication. They wanted to do it in a non-obvious way.
Wynne’s inspiration came to him suddenly. He envisioned a wise horse without a bridle. On its back, a carefree boy calls out to his friends. They have forgotten their kingdom.
The Messenger statue features a horse and a nude young male rider. It is made of bronze with dark patination. The statue is right outside Quadrant House, near Sutton railway station.
The horse is looking towards the station. Its left leg is slightly raised. The boy-rider is bareback. He raises his left hand and puts his right hand to his mouth. It looks like he is calling out.
The Messenger is life-size. It is mounted on a 7-foot plinth. The plinth consists of marble and granite slabs. The total height of the statue is 150 inches.
Wynne visited Italy for inspiration. He saw the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome. He also saw the Horses of Saint Mark in Venice.
Lucius Noël noted Wynne’s dislike for statues. He disliked statues where the horse only supports the rider. Noël highlights the relationship between horse and rider in The Messenger. He notes the strong symbolism in the work.
The rider is giving a message to his audience. He seems to be saying that there is another world. The horse is equally important. It is more conscious than the man. One hoof points to the earth’s center. They are a team. Each needs the other.
Wynne believed we must share the Earth with animals. He thought it our duty to live in peace with them.
Initially, the company wanted to install The Messenger high up. It would have been above the entrance lobby. Wynne advised against this. He felt the distance would reduce people’s engagement with the work. People would only perceive it as two-dimensional.
So, The Messenger statue was installed at ground level. People can get close to it. They can experience its full three dimensions.
Before the unveiling, Wynne was nervous. He wondered if people would be surprised. Would they be pleased, disappointed, or appalled? It was too late to change it.
Today, The Messenger continues to inspire. It reminds us of the importance of communication. It also celebrates the bond between humans and animals. The upkeep of the statue now falls to Reed Business Information. They occupy Quadrant House.