Frances Segelman, also known as Lady Frances Petchey, has created sculptures of many British icons, from Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III to Boris Johnson and Dame Judi Dench. MyLondon visited her East London home, where 15 of her most iconic sculptures are proudly displayed, including a clay portrait of Ray Winstone on her dining room table.
A Career Marked by Royal and Celebrity Portraits
Segelman is a British sculptor celebrated for portraits of royalty, performers, sports figures and Holocaust survivors. Her long list of subjects includes Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, Boris Johnson, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Joanna Lumley, Dame Joan Collins, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Karl Jenkins, Linford Christie, Dame Edna (the character portrayed by the late comedian Barry Humphries), Princess Anne, the late Prince Philip and Ray Winstone.
Her process typically involves the person sitting for sittings, as was the case when she sculpted the Queen, who took four sittings to complete. In other cases, such as with Dame Judi Dench or Ray Winstone, she would do a live sculpting in front of an audience, with the clay portrait later refined, moulded and cast in bronze.
Inside the Sculptor's Home Studio
Walking through Segelman's house, visitors encounter the sculptures on display in various rooms. Ray Winstone sits on her table in her dining room, while other pieces are showcased throughout the home. The level of intricacy and detail in each work is remarkable, as seen in the close-up views of the sculptures.
Segelman also built the crown throne herself, which is part of her collection. In her studio, she continues to work on new commissions, with many of her finished pieces displayed around her.
Personal Influence and Legacy
Segelman's late husband, Sir Jack Petchey, helped push her to become a sculptor. Her work also includes a sculpture of the late Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as a bust of Princess Anne. She poses between sculptures she created of King Charles (when he was a prince) and Boris Johnson, showing the range of her subjects from royalty to political figures.
The collection at her home includes 15 photographs of these British icons, each capturing the likeness and character of the subject. Her work continues to be recognised for its contribution to portraiture, with her sculptures held in private and public collections.
