Tributes to creator of Birmingham's Bullring bull

Laurence Broderick died at the age of 88

Tributes have been paid to the creator of Birmingham's famous bull statue after his death at the age of 88.

Laurence Broderick was best known for the public artwork at the city's Bullring, officially titled The Guardian, which was erected in 2003.

At the the time, the giant bronze bull was described as the focal point of the city’s new shopping centre.

The Bristol-born artist expressed joy to the Birmingham Mail in 2015 when it ranked alongside the Statue of Liberty and Michelangelo’s statue of David as one of the world's best pieces of public art, in a list compiled by the Independent newspaper.

"It’s quite incredible to think that the bull has become so successful," he told the paper.

Mr Broderick was best known for the public artwork at the Bullring in Birmingham

Shortly after its unveiling, Mr Broderick described the bull as a "gateway emblem for Birmingham throughout history".

"The objective of the sculpture is to reflect the characteristics of the trade and the market place that are synonymous with the bull," he said.

The work would ultimately go on to inspire the city's raging bull, later named Ozzy, which thousands of people turned out to visit after it starred in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Tributes appeared at the statue on Friday

Mr Broderick studied painting, illustration and sculpture at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London from 1952 to 1957.

He continued to learn his craft at the Hammersmith School of Art from 1964 to 1965.

His son Graeham said his father had realised his gift from an early age.

"He often told me that it was all he wanted to do," he said. "He had little interest in any other subjects."

People paid their respects to Mr Broderick at the statue

Mr Broderick, who died on 18 April, spent his final years enjoying time with his family.

Though he was eventually unable to sculpt, his son explained he continued to draw prolifically.

He is survived by his wife, Ingrid, their two remaining sons and four grandchildren.

His youngest son, Oliver, died in 2019 at the age of 46.

Thousands turned out to see the Raging Bull after it starred in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and which was inspired by Mr Broderick's work

Mr Broderick's death came days before an auction of some of his work at the Lyon & Turnbull auction house in London.

Philip Smith, one of its directors, noted Mr Broderick's lasting commitment to sculpting the natural world.

"His beautiful sculptural work speaks for itself," Mr Smith said.

"It has been an honour working with the Broderick Studio over the last few years in helping to promote and continue his important legacy."