Lawrence in Fitzrovia @ Fitzrovia Chapel, London, UK, 26 January – 9 February 2024

Mozart Estate, Felt

Lawrence in Fitzrovia @ Fitzrovia Chapel, London, UK, 26 January – 9 February 2024,

January 27, 2024
By Irina Shtreis
Photo: Steve Gullick
Web Exclusive

Over two weeks, visitors to Fitzrovia Chapel will witness Lawrence In Fitzrovia, a sculpture by Corin Johnson, modeled after the eponymous Mozart Estate frontman and former Felt, Denim, Go-Kart Mozart. Given the model's underground celebrity status, the private unveiling ceremony, scheduled the day before the unveiling, draws celebrity guests.

“Feels like a pilgrimage”said Miki Berenyi, his ex Lush now of Piroshka, while crossing the threshold between the church's nave and the altar. Behind her, a line of equally famous guests, music fans and industry professionals, lined up to see Lawrence's sculpture. Placed in the former sanctuary, the Portuguese pink marble bust matches the hue of the titles and the glittering mosaics on the domes of the church. Standing to the side is the real Lawrence, whose eternal dreams of fame were perfectly summed up in the 2012 documentary 'Lawrence Of Belgravia', where the artist says: “I want to live in this bubble of fame and celebrity. The day I don't have to take the subway anymore will be the day I celebrate.” With all the cameras and attention on him, this is likely to be that day. A minute later his founding member and frontman approaches him Primal Scream Bobby Gillespie. The two pose for the cameras with her trademark stern look.

Hidden behind the facade of Fitzroy Place's dark office buildings and apartment blocks, the Grade II-listed Fitzrovia Chapel is certainly a liminal space where reality and illusion coexist. However, the presence of more than a hundred guests at the private screening gives some idea of ​​the cult around Lawrence. Miki Berenyi tells Under The Radar that his appreciation of Felt came through Phil King, who played with the band before joining Lush as bassist in 1992. Bobby Gillespie admits he was a long-time fan but refuses to say more .

Appropriately gothic accompaniment to the procession is provided by Go-Kart Mozart's Terry Miles playing the band's songs on the Fitzrovia Chapel organ. Meanwhile, Corin Johnson provides an insight into his work. The sculptor is not new to working with celebrities. His previous mission was from Nick Cave whose statue was erected in Warracknabeal, Australia. In 2017, Johnson approached Lawrence at a Go-Kart Mozart concert at London's Moth Club with an idea to create a marble bust. The artist agreed and sat down in the middle of winter in the artist's studio in Camberwell. The result is amazing. Captured in his idiosyncratic qualities, visor, hood and sunglasses, the marble Lawrence exudes a sense of urban asceticism, tenacity and inimitable artistic vision.

“He has a vision”admits journalist and author Will Hodgkinson, also present at the ceremony. “The only thing I could compare it to is a book called Hunger by Hamsun Knut in which the unknown author of the book would rather starve than start making his vision. And I think that sums up Lawrence completely.”

For more information on the Lawrence in Fitzrovia exhibition visit Official webpage.