Hazel Reeves is a figurative sculptor who has worked across the UK and is based in Brighton on the south coast. Hazel has built a national reputation on her ability to make statues of creative and sculptural excellence, several of which have been shortlisted for the Public Statues and Sculpture Association Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture.

Hazel is a lifelong activist with a passion for telling stories in bronze of struggles for social justice and redressing the lack of women represented, one statue at a time. She wants to engage and move people – moving them to tears, to ask questions, to participate, to tell their own stories, to mobilise. A statue must be a catalyst for change. Notable previous commissions completed by Hazel include sculptures of Emmeline Pankhurst for St Peter’s Square in Manchester, Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy for Congleton in Chesire, and Sir Nigel Gresley for London’s Kings Cross station.

Hazel has a love of Agatha Christie’s writing, which has been passed down from her grandad. Hazel would spend her days reading Agatha’s work on family holidays in Devon.

The artist’s proposal for the Agatha Christie artwork is to create a statue in bronze, as that is how she tells stories.

The statue will be dynamic, with both plot and character. It will have intrigue, with clues to her work and life to engage passers-by, yet will be a faithful likeness to Agatha Christie, conveying her humour, intelligence, love of travel, and of course her affection for Torquay.

Hazel plans to visit Torquay and talk to local people about what is special to them about Agatha Christie. This input will help shape the clues she would incorporate into the completed artwork.

The sculpture would be cast in bronze, given its beauty and robustness over time, and considering the location in a marine environment. The suggested scale is if life-size plus 20% (206cm tall), installed directly into the paving, no plinth. The intention is that this remains a friendly human-scale piece of art, so people won’t be able to resist engaging with the smiling Agatha Christie.

In this video, Hazel artist talks about her idea for the tribute which will be installed on Torquay’s harbourside.

Each artist has submitted a supporting statement for their artwork proposal.