Wendy model visits statue for first time

Catherine Lee had always known the sculpture as a photograph on her family’s mantelpiece in London. The image of a young girl in mid-flight had been a constant presence in her life for decades. At the age of 68, she finally came face to face with the real bronze figure that she had inspired as a 9-year-old, cast as Wendy in Sir Cecil Thomas’ The Darling Children Learning to Fly at the Dunedin Botanic Garden.

The moment took her by surprise as she ran down the steps near the tourist information office and saw the sculpture ahead of her. The realization that it truly existed left her breathless. After wrapping up her first visit to New Zealand, Ms. Lee made a special stop to see the sculpture and gave a talk at the Botanic Garden visitor center, where memories flooded back upon seeing the artwork in person.

The completion of the sculpture in 1967 involved many months of posing for Ms. Lee as Sir Cecil worked meticulously to capture the details just right. It was a nostalgic experience for her, as Sir Cecil had lived around the corner from her in London when she was a child. She recalled his kindness and gentle nature during the posing sessions, which took place once a week for several months.

Peter Pan had always been a part of Ms. Lee’s life, from playing one of the Lost Boys in a school play to watching various stage adaptations in London. The connection to the character and the sculpture has been a source of pride for her, and there has been significant interest in the artwork back in London among her friends and family.

Seeing the sculpture in person was a full-circle moment for Ms. Lee, bringing her closer to a piece of her childhood that had been immortalized in bronze. The experience was both surreal and deeply meaningful, connecting her to a part of her past that had always been a cherished memory.