Sophie sits for sculpting session streamed live to support Vision Foundation

Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Danann Breathnach
Robert Jobson16 September 2020

The Countess of Wessex has become the first member of the royal family to "virtually" sit for a sculptor to increase awareness of the needs of the blind and partially sighted.

Sophie, 55, patron of charity Vision Foundation, spoke afterwards of the challenges faced by those who are unable to see during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The creation of a bust of Sophie by acclaimed Leeds-born artist Frances Segelman was filmed and streamed online as part of a ground-breaking event.

Sophie said: “For the blind and partially sighted amongst us, these past months have been especially challenging.

“However, through the care that the Vision Foundation has extended to those in difficulty, I am hopeful that the people we care for will feel empowered within their communities.

“Thank you to Frances for sculpting my face today. This sculpture, and the faces of many others, will allow the blind and partially sighted to see through touch and so to more vividly imagine their world.

“Whether you are a long-time supporter or friend of The Vision Foundation, or you are new to us, thank you for your vital support, and I would encourage you all to speak to the Foundation team to find out more about our work and explore how you can play a part in bringing the world to within closer reach for those who struggle to see it.”

Sophie, Countess of Wessex 
Danann Breathnach

The tactile piece of art will be unveiled in 2021 to mark The Vision Foundation’s centenary.

Frances, the artist, who is also Lady Petchey, is well known for her busts of royalty and celebrities. She completed a bronze bust of the Queen in 2008.

Describing the sitting with the Queen, she said: “She’s a very special person.

"She came in the room and she was so calm and so poised and so willing to change her tiara, to change the jewellery, to try different things on and she seems so ordinary.

“She was sitting on a slightly higher area than I was sculpting so I had to measure her with callipers so I was going backwards and forwards from her hair! I was so nervous, you know, I was touching the Queen!”

Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Danann Breathnach

She also completed sculptors of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, The Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent.

Sophie has been the organisation’s patron since 2003, having taken over the position from the Queen Mother.

CEO of the charity, Olivia Curno, said it exists to work towards changing public attitudes.

She said that the Covid pandemic "has been a major challenge," adding: "Many have been frightened for their own futures.

"We have lobbied the Government to make the blind and partially sighted a priority for things like shopping lists during the lockdown."

YouTuber Lucy Edwards, freelance BBC broadcaster and the first blind person on Radio 1, said: “Covid has slowed my work down a bit as I haven’t been able to get into London.

"But I’ve been busy on TikTok and had 8 million people tuning in.

“It is a critical issue. In the months to come we cannot socially distance. My guide dog is nearing retirement and that brings more anxiety. So I am just a bit apprehensive.

"We are capable, amazing human beings and we are here to be counted.”

The A&E doctor Amit Patel who went blind in 36 hours and wrote an acclaimed book about his life and guide dog called “Kika and Me” spoke of the challenges faced by blind people in lockdown.

Amit said: “People now appreciate how difficult it is to be in a house all the time which is a way of life for disabled people. People are learning a lot more and I am hoping people take it on board.”

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