Public Sculpture
Hard graft and dedication to his craft has seen Steve reach incredible milestones as a self-taught artist. Steve’s sculptures have been placed prominently in cities all around the country, including major sporting commissions for some of the UK’s most prestigious stadiums.
Steve’s monumental public and private commission unveilings have garnered the attention of the press and media, and his installations feature at high profile locations such as London’s Wembley Stadium, The National Arboretum and London Stock Exchange.
The Code Breakers
Cardiff Bay
In July 2022, Steve unveiled The Code Breakers sculpture in Cardiff Bay. The sculpture depicted three of ‘The Code Breakers’ Billy Boston, Clive Sullivan and Gus Risman. These three trailblazing individuals, who collectively broke down racial stereotypes and promoted greater diversity and inclusivity within rugby. Their achievements and contributions to the sport helped foster a more equitable and accepting environment for players from all backgrounds.
Billy Boston
William John Boston, known as Billy Boston, was born on August 6, 1934, in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales. He was of mixed race, with his father being from Barbados and his mother from Wales. Boston is primarily known for his illustrious rugby league career. He played as a winger and centre for Wigan Rugby League Club and later for Blackpool Borough. He scored a remarkable 478 tries during his career, setting records that still stand today. As a mixed-race player in the mid-20th century, Billy Boston faced racial discrimination and challenges within the rugby league community. Despite these obstacles, Boston's exceptional talent and achievements helped challenge stereotypes and pave the way for greater acceptance and inclusion of players from diverse backgrounds. Boston's success on the field, particularly with Wigan Rugby League Club, garnered widespread admiration and respect, transcending racial barriers. His record-breaking try-scoring feats and numerous accolades demonstrated that talent and skill should be the primary criteria for recognition in rugby, regardless of race. His speed, strength, and try-scoring ability made him a formidable force on the field. He won numerous trophies with Wigan, including multiple Challenge Cups and league titles. Boston's impact on the sport earned him induction into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1988.
Clive Sullivan
Clive Sullivan was born on April 9, 1943, in Cardiff, Wales. He grew up in the Butetown area of the city. Sullivan was a winger known for his incredible pace and scoring prowess. He played for both Hull Kingston Rovers and Hull FC in the Rugby Football League (RFL). Sullivan also represented Great Britain and Wales at the international level. Clive Sullivan's impact on race in rugby was profound, especially as he became the first black captain of the Great Britain rugby league team in 1972. This milestone shattered racial barriers and provided inspiration for aspiring black rugby players. Sullivan's leadership and success as captain during the 1972 World Cup victory showcased the importance of diversity and inclusivity in rugby. His achievement highlighted the talent and capabilities of black players, challenging stereotypes and prejudices within the sport. Clive Sullivan is celebrated for his achievements both on and off the field. He became the first black captain of the Great Britain rugby league team in 1972, leading them to victory in the World Cup that year. Sullivan's leadership, skill, and sportsmanship made him a beloved figure in the rugby league community. After his passing in 1985, the Clive Sullivan Memorial Trophy was established in his honour, awarded annually to the winner of the Challenge Cup.
Gus Risman
Augustus "Gus" John Ferdinand Risman was born on March 21, 1911, in Cardiff, Wales. He hailed from a family with a rich rugby league tradition. Gus Risman was a versatile player who could excel in multiple positions, including fullback, centre, and stand-off. He had a long and distinguished career, playing for clubs such as Salford, Workington Town, and Leigh. Risman also represented both England and Wales at the international level. Gus Risman's influence on race in rugby was notable for his pioneering role as a prominent black player in the early 20th century. At a time when racial discrimination was prevalent, Risman's skill and leadership helped break down racial barriers and promote greater diversity within the sport. Risman's success as a player, coach, and administrator contributed to the normalization of black participation in rugby league. His legacy as a trailblazer paved the way for future generations of black players to excel in the sport, demonstrating that talent and dedication transcend racial boundaries. Risman is remembered as one of the pioneers of rugby league. He was a dominant figure in the sport during the first half of the 20th century, known for his skill, toughness, and leadership. Risman's impact extended beyond his playing days, as he later became a successful coach and administrator. He was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1988, cementing his status as a legend of the game.
These three individuals left indelible marks on the sport of rugby through their exceptional talent, achievements, and contributions, ensuring that their legacies endure for generations to come.
Rugby League Legends
Wembley Stadium
Three years in the making, this sculpture features five all-time greats of the sport in Eric Ashton, Billy Boston, Martin Offiah, Alex Murphy and Gus Risman.
"Having them all part of the statue means that every generation of the sport is celebrated," said Nigel Wood, Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League.
It was commissioned by the charity Rugby League Cares and unveiled on 29th August 2015 by Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch, to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the day that the sport was founded.
Steve worked closely with the families of the five sporting heroes and the Rugby Football League during the design and production of this statue – inviting the living legends and surviving family members to see the wax in his studio. Steve recounts that it was a moving and emotional experience.
Wigan Heritage and Mining Monument
Wigan Town Centre
Steve’s sculpture, prominently situated near Wigan Town Hall, was commissioned to commemorate Wigan borough's mining history. The city was once the capital of the Lancashire coalfield, so the idea was to celebrate the heritage of an industry that once dominated the town.
The project began with the Wigan Heritage and Mining Monument (WHAMM) charity, with support from Wigan Council. Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux, said: “Our borough is very proud of our mining heritage and the statue is a fantastic addition to our town centre.”
The figures in the sculpture are wearing the traditional footwear – wooden clogs with clog irons and, as the statue doesn’t have base or plinth, they appear to be walking on the cobbled street.
“It is an honour to recognise the people who built this country and made it great with this historical piece. We decided with the committee not to have a base or plinth so that they are on the cobbles walking as a proud working-class family would have. We are proud of our English heritage and hope that our representation of this family captures something for everyone who sees it.” – Steve Winterburn
Queens Lancashire Regiment Memorial
National Memorial Arboretum
The memorial, the result of an extraordinary and monumental fund-raising effort, commemorates the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, and those that served in the fine and proud county regiment.
It became Lancashire’s only county Infantry Regiment and held the record of having the most Battle Honours of any line infantry regiment in the British Army, two of these being Quebec and Waterloo,where predecessors of the Queen’s Lancashires fought with great distinction.
The memorial stands proudly at the foot of the Arboretum’s central Armed Forces Memorial and has a magnificent backdrop. It can be clearly seen from most, if not all, angles of approach.
K.O.Y.L.I Memorial
Elmfield Park Doncaster
“KOYLI was the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry; a regiment of the British Army that fought in many campaigns until 1968. So, the sculpture is really to honour the Yorkshire Regiment ex-military and the men that lost their lives for us. I have a real passion for anything I do military, because we owe them really for the comfortable lives we lead today. It’s an honour for me to honour their sacrifice.” The project spanned roughly two and a half years, and was a very detailed and thorough process, which saw us work closely with the regiment making changes and tweaks down to the finest details making sure we could make it as authentic and accurate as possible. For us as a family business, it was an honour and a privilege to work alongside the regiment whose values are very much based around family. The whole journey leading up to the day of the unveiling was very humbling and emotional. The day itself, being Yorkshire Day, Minden Day and the 50th anniversary of the date that the regiment ended, amounted to a truly moving experience. Over 400 people attended on August 1st 2018 when it was unveiled, including Mayors from Doncaster and the surrounding areas, with BBC and ITV both in attendance for widespread media coverage. The sculpture isn’t about warfare though, it’s about sacrifice and honour, the sculpture deliberately depicting the gun pointed down with his finger off the trigger. During the development of the piece, we invited the regiment’s veteran – all of them in their eighties – to see the processes and the wax. As they approached the statue, touching his boots and looking up at him with respect and honour, we could see how moved there were. It was emotional to witness, and a memory I’ll never forget."
Jim Cronin Memorial
Monkey World
In 1987, the late Jim Cronin founded Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset with the aim of providing abused chimps a permanent home. Though Jim sadly passed away in 2007 after a short illness, the primate rehabilitation centre remains a refuge for 150 apes of 15 different species, now operated by Jim’s wife Alison. This sculpture depicts the conservationist with one of the first chimps he re-homed, called Charlie. In an interview with the BBC, Alison said: “It is Jim, it’s his face, it’s his expression, it’s everything and such a fitting tribute.” In line with Steve’s unwavering dedication to conservationism, Monkey World remains a pioneering voice calling to end the maltreatment of these endangered species.
Leeds Rhinos
John Holmes Sculpture at Emerald Headingley Stadium
One of the greatest players ever to represent Leeds Rugby League, John Holmes was immortalised in bronze by Steve in 2021. An icon for the team and its supporters, the sculpture now stands proudly at the front of the Tetley South Stand. In an interview, the Chairman of Rhinos’ heritage committee, Phil Caplan, said: “To have the ultimate local – and reluctant – hero looking out over Kirkstall, where he came from, could not be more appropriate, fitting and poignant.”
Billy Boston
Wigan Town Hall
Steve is shown here with rugby league star Billy Boston at the unveiling of his bronze statue in Wigan’s Believe Square in 2016. The Cardiff-born player is one of the top try-scorers in Wigan’s club history and yet, when the BBC asked what Billy thought of the homage, the 82-year-old said: “I don’t know why they’ve done it for me, because Wigan’s had some great players – and I mean great players.” However, when Wigan Warrior’s coach was asked about the tribute, head coach Shaun Wane said the statue was a “just reward for what he’s done for the town of Wigan.”
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