Original Sketches of Birmingham Bull Statue Fetch £3,380 at Auction

Original sketches for the iconic Bullring Bull statue in Birmingham have sold for £3,380 at auction. The drawings, created by esteemed sculptor Laurence Broderick, were discovered under a bed at his family home in Cambridgeshire nearly two years after his death at the age of 88.

The collection includes 14 signed A2 sketches dated July 2001, two years prior to the unveiling of the bronze sculpture, officially titled The Guardian. These sketches, which feature Broderick’s handwritten notes detailing his design preferences, were sold at Batemans Auctioneers in Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Stephen Drake, an auctioneer with over 27 years of experience, found the sketches while evaluating the family estate following the passing of Broderick’s wife, Ingrid, in August 2023. In a statement, he expressed his excitement, saying, “It was a fantastic moment when the incredible portfolio of his work was pulled from under the bed. The family have decided that these items need to be shared and not kept under the bed or in a loft anymore.”

The sketches provide a glimpse into the creative process behind the 6-tonne, 4.5-meter long bronze bull, which was installed at the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham in 2003. Broderick described the sculpture as a “gateway emblem for Birmingham throughout history,” aimed at reflecting the trade and marketplace characteristics synonymous with the bull.

The auction has garnered interest not only for the sketches themselves but also for their connection to the celebrated sculpture, which has become a significant landmark in Birmingham. The Bull has inspired various cultural references, including the city’s raging bull, named Ozzy, which attracted thousands of visitors during the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The sale of these sketches comes against a backdrop of personal turmoil for Broderick’s family. In 2022, he was involved in a contentious £5 million legal dispute with his two sons, Graeham and Roger, after he chose to exclude them from his will. Instead, he bequeathed his estate to the National Trust. This decision stemmed from accusations by his sons, who blamed him for the death of their younger brother, Ollie, in 2019.

The legal proceedings were ultimately resolved when Graeham reached a settlement with his father. Despite the family’s challenges, the sketches’ auction signifies a poignant moment in celebrating Broderick’s artistic legacy, ensuring that his work continues to be appreciated by the public.