As the UK prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, Bowman Sculpture gallery in London have unveiled a new bronze sculpture of Sir Winston Churchill, created by rising British artist Rufus Martin.
The bust by Rufus Martin (b. Dorset, UK) captures Britain’s legendary Wartime leader Churchill in one of the most iconic moments of the 20th century – flashing his ‘V for Victory’ sign from the balcony in Whitehall on 8th May 1945, the day Germany’s surrender was announced and the war in Europe declared over. This striking new work is being released as part of VE Day 80 commemorations and aims to honour both the historic moment and the enduring symbolism of Churchill’s leadership.
Rufus Martin’s bust of Sir Winston Churchill is based on extensive visual research undertaken by the sculptor, including photographs by Yousuf Karsh, studies by Graham Sutherland, and archival images from the National Portrait Gallery. It shows Churchill at the exact moment he addressed crowds in Whitehall on VE Day—cigar in hand, fingers raised in his now-iconic ‘V’ sign. Martin’s sculpture is not just a likeness, but a representation of the emotional weight of that historic moment—relief, pride, and the sober knowledge of what had been lost to achieve victory.
The surface of the work remains richly textured, showing the marks of the sculptor’s hand. The coat, based on an original Churchill garment, has been carefully sculpted for weight and realism. The expressive modelling of the face avoids idealisation, focusing instead on emotional truth.
On 8th May 2025, the United Kingdom will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. It marks the moment when peace returned to the continent after nearly six years of war. Across the country, families and communities will come together to remember the sacrifice, courage, and unity that defined the wartime era. Churchill’s original VE Day speech and appearance from the balcony of the Ministry of Health in Whitehall remains one of the most enduring images of Britain’s 20th-century history.
Rufus Martin trained at Wimbledon College of Arts and first gained attention in Bowman Sculpture’s inaugural Graduate Exhibition in November 2024. His work received a strong response, prompting the gallery to support him on this new project. He is a two-time recipient of the Tiranti Prize for portrait sculpture (2022, 2023), awarded to outstanding artists under 30. This bust of Churchill marks his first major public-facing historical work.
Members of the public are welcome to view the sculpture of Winston Churchill Bowman Sculpture Gallery by appointment. For an appointment, please call +44 (0)20 7930 0277 or email the gallery on Info@bowmansculpture.com
Located in London’s St James’s art district, Bowman Sculpture Gallery specializes in sculpture from the 19thcentury to the present day. Renowned as a leading gallery for works by Auguste Rodin, it is dedicated to exhibiting the finest examples of historical and contemporary sculpture.
