Quote from Fergus McCarthy on February 7, 2025, 4:29 pm

A giant art sculpture from Oxford’s popular summer OxTrail event is now in a permanent home. The ‘Looking for Alice’ Ox now stands proudly on the rooftop of Westgate Oxford, thanks to a generous donation from the Lewis Carroll Society.

The journey from OxTrail to Westgate Oxford

‘Looking for Alice’ was one of over 30 ox sculptures showcased in the city last summer as part of Sobell House Hospice’s OxTrail event. Painted by local artist Caroline Ritson, the Alice in Wonderland-inspired ox was sold at a fundraising auction for £3,000. The Lewis Carroll Society, with contributions from individual members, successfully bid for the ox, ensuring it remained in Oxford.

The Society donated the sculpture to Westgate Oxford, giving it a prominent public location where visitors can admire it. The ox is the only sculpture from the event to remain on display in the city centre.

Celebrating Oxford’s literary legacy

Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, expressed his excitement about the new addition:

“We’re delighted that ‘Looking for Alice’ has joined us permanently at Westgate Oxford. Situated on our rooftop terrace with stunning views of Christ Church College, the statue is an apt tribute to Oxford’s literary legacy. We’d like to thank the Lewis Carroll Society for their generous donation and invite guests to visit the ox in its new home.”

The official unveiling took place on 27th January, marking Lewis Carroll’s birthday.

Mark Davies, local historian and Lewis Carroll Society trustee, added:

“The Lewis Carroll Society is delighted to have found such a willing host in Westgate Oxford for its 'Looking for Alice' ox. This evocatively decorated sculpture will remain in Oxford, where Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland originated. The 27th of January is a fitting date, as it marks the birthday of Lewis Carroll – the pen name of Charles Dodgson. The ox will gaze towards Christ Church, where Carroll lived all his adult life and where the real Alice and her sisters were the daughters of the Dean.”

The success of OxTrail 2023

The Sobell House Hospice Charity’s OxTrail event boosted Oxford’s economy by £1.2 million, as visitors from near and far came to see the sculptures. It also raised over £306,000 for the hospice, with £150,000 generated at the OxTrail auction alone.

More information:

• Westgate Oxford: www.westgateoxford.co.uk
• Sobell House Hospice: www.sobellhouse.org
• Lewis Carroll Society: www.lewiscarrollsociety.org.uk