A new sculpture now stands in the Camery Gardens at Wells Cathedral.

Resurrection is the final work by eminent sculptor David Backhouse, and it depicts Jesus, holding a crown of thorns, looking up at the Cathedral.

Mr Backhouse already has a sculpture on display in Wells – Pilgrim stands in the Bishop's Palace gardens. But that was not originally where the work was to be sited.

"Pilgrim might have come to the Camery Gardens originally," Mr Backhouse tells me. "At the time, Bishop Jim wanted him for the Cathedral so we looked for a suitable place and decided the Camery Gardens would be a good site. However, back then, the powers that be wouldn't have him, but Bishop Jim managed to get him for the Bishop's Palace gardens, and I think it suits him rather well.."

Getting a companion piece to Pilgrim was the idea of the current Dean of Wells Cathedral, Dr John Davies.

"The Dean rather likes Pilgrim," Said Mr Backhouse, "And suggested that there might be a companion piece – but a Jesus – for the Cathedral. He had the idea that this Jesus should be in conversation with the Cathedral. I liked the idea very much, but we didn't have a site for it at the time. It seems like full circle to have it in the Camery Gardens, and I think Bishop Jim would be quite pleased!"

Resurrection depicts Jesus, looking up at the Cathedral, holding the crown of thorns behind his back. "If you are thinking of the story of Jesus it would be after the crucifixion. He is holding the crown of thorns ­– that helps you to know that it's Jesus ­– and it's symbolic that he is holding them behind his back, as that tells you that that part of the story is over," said Mr Backhouse.

The sculpture is cast from bronze, and over time the colour will change as it exposed to the elements. "Bronze is patinated so it will change colour according to its environment," explained Mr Backhouse. "At the moment the colour is a bit bright. It's still a bit new. But it will weather. It will settle down, especially if you get the pigeons to sit on it!

"Pilgrim didn't used to be the colour that he is now, but there's a lot of fruit in those gardens… There aren't so many fruit trees in the Camery Gardens, but imagine the birds will use it!

"Sculptures always become part of whatever place you put them.

"It will be interesting to see people's reactions to Resurrection. I just hope that they will enjoy the piece, and that it will add to their enjoyment of the Camery Gardens."

David Backhouse with his sculpture. Photo: David Bevan

David Backhouse is regarded as one of Britain's most respected sculptors, with a career spanning more than 30 years. His work includes Animals in War on Park Lane in London, the Cloaked Horseman for Bristol City Centre, Centaurs for Whiteleys in London's Bayswater, The Stream of Life for Central Square in Telford and the Dolphin Family for London Docklands, as well as Pilgrim which stands in the gardens of the Bishop's Palace.