“Margot is a well-qualified, passionate, self-motivated, and acclaimed, creative sculptor who throughout the project has demonstrated an ability to be; open-minded, inclusive, and articulate, with a high attention to detail and focus on meeting client expectations.
During the conception and design phase of the project Margot also displayed a strong investigative approach, evidenced by her determination to research Louisa's achievements and better understand her life as a role model for rural women in building resilience and finding strength in the face of adversity during times of social, economic, and environmental hardship. The final statue design has received widespread community endorsement and interest.
Graham Taylor
Club Director and Past President
Rotary Club of Mudgee
The plaques and statue look brilliant. Everyone is so happy with the result.
We thank you for patience and persistence to get these done, particularly as they were all from a photo instead of real life.
Jane Hillsdon
Chief Marketing Officer
Birdon Maritime
Port Macquarie
Guest Artist Slide Presentation & Talk
The Making of the Louisa Lawson Bronze Public Art Sculpture
What a wonderful talk and presentation you gave us last night. Thank you for putting it together so comprehensively with so much detail. I had not seen what happens at the foundry before. I knew they removed the hands, but I had no idea that the body was cut up and there was a decapitation! After seeing her complete in your studio, then in pieces in the photos and seeing the finished product in situ you would not know what she has gone through.
I am also so pleased to know the story behind the glider on her boot. What a great bonus for the children. It reminds me of the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens in London, but especially all the little creatures around the base reflecting J M Barrie's tribute to children and their eternal fascination and quest for knowledge.
Peter Windeyer
Arts National/ Australian Design & Fine Arts Society
I am delighted to provide a Letter of Reference for sculptor, Ms Margot Stephens,
following the successful completion of the City of Newcastle’s first true-to-scale civic
bronze statue, in memory of former City of Newcastle Lord Mayor,
Joy Cummings AM.
Following a rigorous and competitive selection process involving representatives
from the City of Newcastle and the NSW Government, Ms Stephens was
commissioned to complete this project.
From the outset, Ms Stephens displayed incredible passion for the project, and
approached the commission with exemplary professionalism and diligence.
Margot’s meticulous approach to learning as much as she could about Joy, her
passion for our city and her legacy as the first female Lord Mayor of a city in
Australia was exceptional.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
City of Newcastle
I have had much experience of commissioning work from artists, and, without doubt, Margot has been the most amenable in adaption to my wishes. The result is superb.
Rob Waterhouse
As the project manager for the Ariah Park Wheat Lumper Statue, I found Margot Stephens a pleasure to work with, she was very professional, and any suggestions from us were happily incorporated into the finished product.
Cr. Nigel Judd,
Project Manager,
Ariah Park Community Projects Committee