Item 11 - Bust, Bishop Alan Clark

Sculptor in Norwich; parishioner at St John the Baptist
15 July 1992: Exhibiting 35 pieces at the Assembly House, Norwich
May 1994: article in the Key: "Sculptress Bettina Batten of Norwich has just completed her interpretation of God the Father from clay and fired in a kiln. taking a classical view of God looking down from his creation, the figure is an addition to a religious collection which is winning fans for Bettina all over the country. Her figure of Mother Teresa now graces a school in Liverpool. She has completed a nativity set for her home parish of St John's in Norwich. And there are many more commissions on the way and ideas which she wants to follow up. One of the most poignant figures she has created was inspired by a remembrance card. It is Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane being comforted by an angel. Bettina has also produced a welcoming figure of Christ the King with hands outstretched to gather in his people. This is a features statue in one of the parish chapels in Norwich. The baby Jesus in one of her nativity sets was once held by one of the visionaries at Medjugorje when she visited the centre there. Many of her figures can be seen on sale in Walsingham and other places so look out for this example of home fired religious art. An early piece of Bettina's sculpture is a bust of Bishop Alan Clark which is kept iin his office in the White House. Her art developed from a hobby with Bettina taking up drawing in the early stages but developing onto sculpture later."