Bob Mitchell unveiled his Britannia sculpture at the Dunedin Art School this week.
"It was a real labour of joy," he said yesterday.
"It's based on the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square in London and it's a celebration of the London Olympics and the Queen's 60th Jubilee and all things British.
"It's also about the Battle of Britain and how Britain was almost brought to its knees."
The polystyrene and plaster work took Mr Mitchell more than 120 hours to complete and features a squatting weightlifter with an English bowler hat and Churchillian two-fingered victory salute.
Mr Mitchell was a chef at the Dunedin Club until 2003, when his hearing began to deteriorate.
"It got to the stage that I couldn't answer the phone. I wasn't at retirement age, so I went back to studying art."
A cochlear implant allowed Mr Mitchell to participate in lectures and he has been a full-time student at the Dunedin Art School for the past two years.
"It's marvellous. It's such a stimulating environment and just such a privilege to be here," he said.
"As an old bird, to tap into the influences and different people here has been fantastic.
"I've been really readily accepted. I enjoy it so much, that I'm in here most weekends."
Britannia is on display in front of the Dunedin Art School foyer until June 29.
