Dr Fenwick Justin John Lawson ARCA (1932–2026) was one of Britain’s most distinguished sculptors, remembered for his profound contribution to art and faith. Two of his works — St Wilfrid and Hidden Life — stand in the Jesuit church of St Wilfrid, Preston, offering daily encounters with his profoundly modern vision of faith.

Born in South Moor, County Durham, Lawson trained at Sunderland College of Art and the Royal College of Art, London. Initially exploring neo‑brutalist metal forms, by the 1970s he turned to figurative wood and bronze sculpture, focusing on religious and humanist themes. His pieces, from the celebrated Pietà in Durham Cathedral to The Journey in Durham city centre, reveal a deep understanding of the human condition and spiritual life.

“When I saw his Pietà in York Minster in the early 1980s, I determined that if ever I got the opportunity I’d commission a work from Fenwick,” recalled Fr Denis Blackledge SJ. “My chance came in 1991 at St Wilfrid’s Preston. Fenwick produced a nine-foot elm sculpture of the awkward saint striding on a missionary journey. It’s welcomed folk ever since, and Fenwick loved it to be touched — so Wilfrid’s hand is well rubbed!”

Hidden Life, a cenotaph for babies and children who died in the womb or shortly after birth, is another example of Lawson’s emotive power. Fr Denis described it as “a seven-foot seated mother whose left breast is a baby’s head, protected by both of the mother’s hands. It appeared on the cover of the Nursing Times, and provides comfort now in the narthex.”

Lawson’s impact extended far beyond Preston. He lectured in sculpture, led the sculpture department at Newcastle Polytechnic, and inspired generations of artists. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters from Durham University and the Freedom of the City of Durham.

Fr Denis reflected on their friendship: “I visited his Durham home and studio often, seeing works in progress like The Journey — Cuthbert in his coffin carried by six monks. I attended unveilings in Lindisfarne and Durham, and Fenwick once gave me a brass resurrection crucifix — my gift now has pride of place in Harborne, Birmingham. I last saw him almost three years ago, when he showed me his final work, Jacob and the Angel. He was gentle, a beautiful man, and I reckon the best Christian sculptor of the last century.”

Lawson passed away on 23 January 2026, aged 93. Tributes celebrated his generosity, skill, and spiritual depth. At St Wilfrid’s, his sculptures continue to express compassion, memory, and faith, ensuring that Fenwick Lawson’s legacy endures — a reminder of art’s power to move, console, and inspire.

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