‘The Mother’ is now being chipped out from the plaster caps: These photographs show stages of the process, and ‘The Mother’ beside ‘The Father.’
Together, these figures form two from the upcoming piece, ‘Trilogy.’
Posted in Abstract Sculptures, Working Process
Tagged Abstract, father, mother, nick eames, Sculpture, trilogy, Woods
An original piece of mine is being considered for the Ellesmere Sculpture Trail, to commemorate the centenary of the ‘Save the Children’ charity – founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb (an Ellesmere resident), with the support of sister Dorothy Buxton.
As Clare Mulley describes in her biography of Eglantyne Jebb, in April 1919, 2 women stood in Trafalgar Square: Eglantyne Jebb, and Barbara Ayrton Gould (young secretary of the Women’s League and a seasoned Suffragette).
They were distributing leaflets showing the ravages of famine on small children, the victims of war. Standing alone, these women attempted to appeal to the war weary, indifferent, and often hostile public, showing compassion for the displaced and starving children of Europe. Arrested later that day, Eglantyne would have depended on the support of her comrade.
The same bond existed with her remarkable sister Dorothy Buxton, as they spread their message through speaking tours of the influential drawing rooms of London. These women were able to achieve astonishing things because they stood shoulder to shoulder as sisters; and this is what I wish to acknowledge in my sculpture – to convey not how they would have looked, but how they felt.
As I began to research these remarkable women, I immediately knew the sculpture I wished to build. My sculptures are inspired by found natural forms that initially attract my attention: I have produced a series of initial studies, from forms found in the split kindling used for fire lighting. One of these (originally entitled ‘Twins’) is the basis for my proposed sculpture, ‘The Sisters.’
If commissioned, this sculpture will be built at approximately 2.3 metres in height, moulded and then cast in High Alumina Cement, in situ, by April 2020. This is the same process used to create my original work ‘Trilogy,’ as can be seen in my recent/ongoing posts and updates.
‘The Mother’ is now being cast beside ‘The Father’ in situ, within the heart of a beautiful protected woodland.
Together, these figures form two of the upcoming piece, ‘Trilogy.’
Posted in Abstract Sculptures, Working Process
Tagged Abstract, Casting, Cement, Forest, Natural, Sculpture, Wood, Woods
This is the second element of the sculpture in the woods, built in deadfall and modelled in rough clay; both locally sourced.
A slideshow of the sculpture, under construction & prior to moulding, can be seen below:
Posted in Abstract Sculptures, Working Process
My sculptures are inspired by found natural forms that initially attract my attention. These may be flints, sea shells, driftwood or, more recently, split kindling for the fire.
I then develop these original forms in clay or plaster as a sculpture in the round: This is a working maquette (model). When I feel the piece is resolved, I then mould and cast it into cement. These maquettes constitute a body of work that I seek to build on a suitable scale for permanent siting in the landscape.
Posted in Abstract Sculptures, Proposals
Following the cancellation of the ‘Iron Ring’ sculpture for Flint Castle, this is my proposal should such funding become available again. The sculpture is entitled ‘Silver Bird,’ and would be constructed in stainless steel tubing. It is derived from my original piece, ‘The Gull’ – development of which is visible on this site.
My intention is to have this sculpture built by – and with the backing of – one of the major Flint steel construction companies. The object of this would be to bring investment into Flint & Deeside, as opposed to it being outsourced.
Posted in Abstract Sculptures, Events, Proposals
Over the summer, members of the community worked together to convert the old school yard (adjacent to the Village Hall) into a shared area: Functioning as both a peaceful garden in which to reflect and pause for breath – and also a warm, inviting space to welcome visitors and locals alike.
It was agreed that this Garden would serve as the ideal location for my sculpture ‘Buddies’ – originally intended for the local primary school, Ysgol-Y-Foel. When walking through the village on their way to visit St. Mary’s church, or the Millenium Woods, the pupils are encouraged to ‘buddy up,’ and this was the inspiration for the piece.
During the construction of the original sculpture, the pupils of Ysgol-Y-Foel worked with me, placing their thumb prints into clay before the final piece was cast. The leaving of a thumb print is a symbolic acknowledgement; that this community both remembers and thanks the excellent start in life Ysgol-Y-Foel has provided for the children of this village, past and present.
The Garden is a tribute to much loved Community member David Johnson, one of the key figures in the regeneration of the Village Hall. A quotation from Victor Hugo can be seen on the wall.
The Garden itself was designed by local landscape architect Simon Richards, and was project managed by committee members Valerie Thompson and Phil Higgins.
Posted in Abstract Sculptures
