British Woman Returns to Honor Childhood Role in Kiwi Sculpture

Catherine Lee, who posed as Wendy Darling for a renowned sculpture, is set to visit New Zealand for the first time. The 68-year-old British woman will explore the Dunedin Botanic Garden on January 31, 2024, where she will encounter a bronze statue that captures her likeness as a young girl.

The sculpture, titled Wendy and her Attendants, was commissioned by the Dunedin Botanic Garden and crafted by esteemed British sculptor Sir Cecil Thomas OBE in 1967. It was installed following the earlier placement of another of Thomas’s works, Peter Pan, in 1963. Both pieces were made possible through a donation from local resident Harold Richmond.

Reflecting on her childhood experience, Ms. Lee recalled posing for Sir Cecil in his studio at Dora House in South Kensington, London. The young model was asked to balance on a stepladder to simulate Wendy’s flight. “I was the right age and had a long plait and somewhat cherubic face,” she said, adding that her father had responded to an advertisement that led her to this unique opportunity.

“I would go to the studio every Wednesday afternoon after school and position myself diagonally on the stepladder, simulating Wendy in flight,” she explained. Although she did not meet the other child models for Wendy’s brothers, Michael and John, or the dog Nana, she felt a strong connection to the overall composition of the statue.

In addition to modeling, Ms. Lee enjoyed tea with Sir Cecil and his wife, Dora, whose legacy the house commemorates. “He told me I was even more important than her — as my statue was taking precedence,” she recalled.

While Ms. Lee has spent most of her life in London, she has also lived in Oxford, Lewes, and Florence, Italy, where she contributed to a small opera company and various music festivals. After returning to the UK, she transitioned to a career in the British Civil Service, focusing on justice and constitutional policies. She notably served as director-general in charge of policy at the Ministry of Justice and was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 2012 for her contributions to justice, receiving the medal from King Charles III.

As she prepares for her visit, Ms. Lee expressed her excitement about returning to New Zealand. “Of course, I will be making a pilgrimage to see the statue,” she stated. “I am very much looking forward to seeing the statue in the beautiful setting of the Dunedin Botanic Garden. It has been a lifetime dream.”

On February 1, 2024, the Dunedin Botanic Garden will host a public talk featuring Catherine Lee and others, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with her story. Further details will be available on the garden’s official Facebook page.