Background
He was born at 17 Orde Hall Street, London, the son of Alfred William Hardiman, silversmith, of Holborn, and his wife, Ada Myhill.
He was born at 17 Orde Hall Street, London, the son of Alfred William Hardiman, silversmith, of Holborn, and his wife, Ada Myhill.
Hardiman’s best-known (but also most controversial) work is the Earl Haig Memorial on Whitehall in London. More universally admired are the heraldic lions flanking the main entrance to the City Hall, Norwich, a work which fully epitomises his style. He was appointed consultant sculptor to the building, having worked with one of the architects, Stephen Rowland Pierce, on the Haig Memorial.
Hardiman also carved three large stone figures for the council chamber, and worked with other sculptors on the project including James Woodford and Eric Aumonier.
Hardiman was elected Associate of the Royal Academy in 1936 and a full Academician in 1944. He died at Stoke Poges 17 April 1949.
Whitehall, London: Earl Haig Memorial
County Hall, London: Four statue groups
Street James"s church, Piccadilly, London: Memorial fountain to Viscount Southwood
Eltham Palace, London: Street George (originally at Carlos Place)
City Hall, Norwich: Two bronze heraldic lions, three statues: Recreation, Wisdom, Education
Old Street Paul"s church, Edinburgh: Calvary
Bantaskine, Falkirk: Peace
Kippen Kirk, Stirling: Entry into Jerusalem
Rhodes House, Oxford: Portrait of Cecil Rhodes
Hertfordshire County Hall: Harts.
There he developed his style, a blend of naturalism and classicism influenced by Roman and Etruscan art and early fifth century Greek sculpture.