The casting of the horse skull with fine artist Florence Bigglestone (@floss_art) continues: Following some subtle reinforcing and restoration, the skull (which has been named ‘Maximus’ – “Are you not entertained?”) has been clayed up, and the first caps of the piece mold are underway, in plaster.
We’ve been joined by Nick’s colleague, Tim Johnson, who has been assisting in documenting the process and working with Florence.
Posted in Events, Figurative sculptures, Working Process
Tagged Casting, Fine Art, Florence Bigglestone, Horse, mold making, Roman, Sculpture, Skull, studio
Nick is working with fine artist Florence Bigglestone (@floss_art) this month – safely and with social distancing – to restore and cast a horse’s skull. The cast skull, in plaster, will then be painted and embroidered by Florence to represent the history of chariot racing in Roman Chester. It will be exhibited in the Grosvenor Museum, Chester as part of an exhibition.
These photos show the beginning of the restoration and casting process.
You can check out more of Florence’s work on her Instagram.
Posted in Events, Figurative sculptures, Working Process
Tagged Casting, Chariot, Chester, Fine Art, Florence Bigglestone, Grosvenor Museum, Horse, Plaster, Roman, Sculpture, Skull, studio
Photographs provided by Ian Carson, who kindly gave his consent for these photographs to be featured on the website. Thank you!
Installation of ‘The Sisters’ will resume when restrictions are lifted!
Best wishes, and keep safe! 🙏
– from the socially distancing sculptor.
These are the stages since the last post…
Thank you to Mike Ford, the volunteers and the local businesses who made construction of the concrete base for my Sculpture such a great day in beautiful Ellesmere!
Posted in Abstract Sculptures, Events, Working Process
Tagged development, ellesmere, ellesmere sculpture trail, The Sisters
“We are pleased to commission Nick Eames to create ‘The Sisters’ sculpture to commemorate the outstanding achievements of Eglantyne and Dorothy Jebb, who were born in Ellesmere, Shropshire. One hundred years ago they set up the ‘Save the Children’ Fund, at a meeting in the Albert Hall, and it has continued to carry out its vital humanitarian role across the world until the present day.
During 2019-20 in Ellesmere, Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative is celebrating the work of these extraordinary, but largely forgotten, sisters through a range of local events and activities. These include a research programme, talks and exhibitions, a day Seminar on April 1st 2020 and the creation of a Jebb Garden which will feature Nick’s Sisters sculpture as a permanent tribute to the women.
The Jebb Garden to be sited in the mere-side public gardens will also feature an interactive ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Refuge’ sculpture, representing the journeys of refugee children displaced by conflict and natural disasters.”
Posted in Abstract Sculptures, Events
Tagged Egglantyne Jebb, ellesmere, save the children, Sculpture, sisters, The Sisters
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.
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
Tagged bird, Fflint, Flint, nick eames, public sculpture, Sculpture, silver, silver bird, steel, waterfront
