Experience the enchanting Sculpture Trail at Leeds Castle from Saturday 29th August to Sunday 4th October 2026.
This much-loved art trail invites families and art lovers to explore the magnificent grounds and gardens in search of striking sculptures created by talented local artists. As you wander through the breathtaking landscape, discover a collection of awe-inspiring artworks thoughtfully placed throughout the picturesque setting.
Full details will be announced soon. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear more.
Are you excited about your next Leeds Castle adventure?
Manage your privacy
We use technology like cookies to store and access device information. This is to improve browsing experience. Consenting will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send personalised advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
I obtained my Fine Art degree from Farnham University of Creative Arts in 2009. I specialise in making large scale forms of nature and stylised animals (mainly owls) out of a mixed range resin finishes, all laminated with fibreglass making them durable for the garden. I get to work closely with fellow sculptor Teresa Martin who is also my mum.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Durable, Natural, Textural
Sculptures Information
Company of Columbidae – It’s always encouraging to see how much doves appreciate the concept of a partnership throughout life. Made using marble resin with fibreglass.
Furrowed Owl – If you have a furrowed brow sometimes it’s best to buy an owl. At times in life you need a rest, breathe deep, squeeze some clay….and carry on. Made using iron and marble resin with fibreglass.
Snails for Keeps – Don’t tread on me, I am forever to keep. I’m as pretty as a flower, which I promise not to eat. I will stay on watch, and will not creep. I am just waiting here for you, ready to meet! All special in their own way. Made using mixed resin with fibreglass.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
After graduating with a degree in Fine Art: Sculpture Alison now specialises in metalwork, creating sculptures inspired by nature and wildlife. She is particularly known for her intricate and often comical birds.
Working from her studio in the Surrey Hills, Alison uses fairly basic tools to cut, hammer and weld sheet steel to create her sculptures. Often cutting large sheets into hundreds of tiny pieces before welding them together to form the finished sculpture.
The sculptures are then galvanised and painted bright colours to bring them to life and to add a sense of humour and quirkiness.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Quirky, Fun, Intricate
Sculpture Information
Dodo – Originally made for the RHS as part of an Alice in Wonderland themed trail. Made in mild steel then galvanised to prevent rust then painted.
Eagle Eyed Owl – I started making small owls, but wanted to go bigger! Made in mild steel then galvanised to prevent rust then painted.
Fred and Ginger – So many chickens, not enough time. One day I plan to make a whole range of them. Made in mild steel then galvanised to prevent rust then painted.
Pair of Parrots – Parrots are one of my favourite birds to make, they have such character. Made in mild steel then galvanised to prevent rust then painted.
Winged Crow (series 4 of 10) – I make a lot of crows in different poses, often displaying them all together. Made in mild steel then galvanised to prevent rust then painted.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
I like to create animals, sometimes life size, but always with an imagined glint in the eye. My animals are very rarely from a single model. The idea comes first. I then visit farms, galleries, take photos, source images on the internet and in books. I pick and choose her face, his posture, that attitude. The piece evolves day-by-day. But finally, there comes the eyes-shut moment when the finished piece is clear in my mind and all other images are discarded.
I don’t always seek anatomical accuracy; I work with the mantra, if it looks right, it IS right. I often use gestural marks and imprinted symbols on the surface of the clay, particularly when I feel the subject has a tale to tell.
Starting with clay, I then decide: is this piece destined for my kiln, to be treated with glazes and oxides and then fired to stoneware? Or is it going to be cast in bronze (or some other metal resin)? I love both. Sometimes I start by producing a ceramic piece and subsequently make a mould and cast it in bronze resin. The two sit side by side, the fired earth and the metal.
I have exhibited my work in various UK exhibitions and my sculptures are held in private collections both in the UK and Europe.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures
Aesop’s Tortoise – Slowly, Slowly, Slowly
Pelly Baby – Waiting For Sardines
Rosie – Piglet Guarding Machine
Thor (the boar) – Pig Of Thunder
Sculpture Information
Aesop’s Tortoise – A hare and tortoise composition made of bronze resin with a verdigris patination. Aesop’s famous fable is about a race between a hare and a tortoise. This piece shows the hare resting and sunning himself while looking at the scenery. He is filled with confidence; he knows this race is absurd and he will win easily. Meanwhile, beneath his gaze, the reptile plods on steadily and slowly, there is no other way if you’re a tortoise. I have pictured the tortoise stepping off the base, into the unknown. He wins, of course.
Pelly Baby – A small Pelican chick made of bronze resin. Inspired by watching pelicans and observing that, at feeding time, the chick may shriek and drag itself around by one wing and leg, striking its head on the ground. A tantrum to gain the mother’s attention. I wanted to show a successful tantrum thrower full of fish. So here is Pelly Baby, triumphant, well fed, and sleepy under an English sky.
Rosie – A life size sow made from bronze resin with a verdigris patination. Pigs, to me are the most fascinating of creatures. They have long been considered unclean, long derided and their very name used as an insult. Yet the pig is clever, playful and sensitive. There are so many different types of pigs, all with their own characteristics. I prefer to model my pigs on characterful breeds such as Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs or the Kune Kune. If you’ve seen a sow guarding her piglets, you will recognise Rosie. She is bristling, fierce and strong.
Thor (the Boar) – A life size Kune Kune made from bronze resin with a verdigris patination. Kune Kune pigs are reputedly the friendliest and tamest of pigs. Their small size and sweet character make them a popular pet. I wanted to show Thor’s long wavy hair with his fetching middle-parting. This boar has the typical male tusks and jowls. A pocket-sized warrior.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
I studied at St Martin’s School of Art under Sir Anthony Caro and Phillip King, where I learnt my love for animal art. As an Animalier, I am interested in the muscular form, movement, power, and nature of the animal that I model without compromising the anatomical integrity of the sculpture.
To ensure that my work is reproduced exactly I make all my own moulds and casts thus ensuring that I retain complete control over the finished piece, including patination.
I have exhibited in many different spaces, including commissions of my three Life-sized Wolves in Bronze installed at the University of Surrey, and the Sumatran Tiger Cub and 9-month-old adolescent cub for ZSL London Zoo Tiger territory.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Animal, Movement, Muscles
Sculpture Information
Herdy Gurdy – A life size Herdwick Sheep. I am passionately interested in the muscular form, movement, and power of the animals that I model. I aim to catch their vitality, nature and personality without compromising the anatomical integrity of the sculpture.
Myrtle – A rough-cut Schnauzer. I am passionately interested in the muscular form, movement, and power of the animals that I model. I aim to catch their vitality, nature and personality without compromising the anatomical integrity of the sculpture.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
André Masters and CJ Munn met through a shared love for life casting and sculpture creation on the internet in 2003, where they were drawn to photographs of each other’s work.
What began as a creative passion for the arts grew into a loving partnership that would flourish both in and out of the studio. With their pooled talents, from André’s past as a model maker for the film industry and CJ’s experience as a commercial artist, they work with every conceivable material; from copper to leather and glass to gold.
They have won national and international awards for their artwork including the very first International Rising Star Award at the 3D Print Show for their innovative piece, ‘Icarus Had A Sister’ which boldly blends traditional sculpting techniques with state-of-the-art technological advancements. This piece was shown at The Louvre in Paris to much critical acclaim and despite its ‘hybrid status’, was recently named favourite piece of 3D printed art of all time by technology journalist Rachel Park.
In working with them for his Silver-Gilt winning show garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2010, Thomas Hoblyn described them as ‘geniuses’ and their work as ‘beautiful, wonderful, perfect!’ as well as a ‘joy to work with.’
Masters and Munn are fierce campaigners for the appreciation of aestheticism, fine attention to detail and true craftsmanship in the arts; rejecting the lauding of that which aims to shock or confuse with gimmickry. They believe in the need to keep learning new skills to keep their passion for the arts alive and effervescent, responding to ever-developing material technologies available to contemporary sculptors whilst continuing to pay homage to the more ancient and traditional art forms.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Sensual, Detailed, Naturalistic
Sculpture Information
In His Arms – We love to explore the close connections between humankind and the natural world, of which we so often forget we are a part. Cross-culturally, tattoos are one of the earliest forms of personal expression and often include animal totems – suggesting the desire to take on personality traits or symbolic traits of particular animals – to become one with the essence of the animal. This piece speaks of the important relationship of man with water, essential to our survival; and also the incredible strength, remarkable intelligence, dexterity and mystery of the mighty octopus – all very desirable traits in a mate of any species. The ripples of the muscles on the male body in this gorgeous aluminium finish are reminiscent of the waves of the sea where the octopus makes its home. Made using hand-engraved cold cast aluminium.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Diane Maclean is a sculptor and environmental artist who has exhibited her sculpture in major venues and completed many public art commissions in this country and abroad. An early career as a portrait painter took her to Canada, the USA and South Africa, winning many commissions over a period of 12 years. In 1980 while studying for her degree at the University of Hertfordshire, she changed to sculpture art and was chosen for the New Contemporaries exhibition in 1986 and was immediately successful winning a commission for Stansted Airport in 1990.
Many commissions followed and in 2014 her sculpture Open Book was gifted by HM The Queen to the City of Paris. Solo exhibitions include the Natural History Museum, London, Helsinki Museum, Art Gallery of Guelph, Salisbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle and most recently Burghley House.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures:
Fish Pool: Elegant, Reflective, Engaging
From the Deep: Colourful, Strange, Reaching Out
Sculpture Information
Fish Pool – In ‘Fish Pool’ I have tried to capture an instant in the swift movement of a shoal of fish passing rapidly through the reeds in a river bed – they are seen and then gone in seconds. I use the contrast of the differently polished stainless-steel material to capture light in a variety of ways. The reeds and outer circle of the pool are softly silvery while the fish are brightly reflective, catching the light and shadow as you pass by and reflecting moments of colour from surroundings. The circle and reeds are made using brushed-polished stainless steel. The fish and supporting tube are made using mirror-polished stainless steel.
From the Deep – ‘From the Deep’ was inspired by a visit to the Great Barrier Reef where the colours and forms under the water astonish by their brightness and variety. Among them are branch corals, reaching up from the depth. Corals consist of small, colonial, plankton-eating invertebrate animals called polyps, which are anemone-like. Although corals are often thought to be non-living things, they are live animals. Made using mild steel rod and plate, zinc-coated and painted red.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Emily Stone creates her copper creatures from her workshop near Dover in Kent. In 2001 she started sculpting full-time, and since then she has exhibited widely in galleries and gardens around Britain. She has shown her work at the Fire and Iron Gallery in Leatherhead, Savill Gardens in Windsor Great Park, Pashley Manor and Delamore Arts in Devon. Most recently her giraffe sculpture was exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with the No Name Nursery, where the stand was awarded a Silver-Gilt medal.
Emily recycles copper hot water tanks, plumbing pipes and electrical cables to create her sculptures. She enjoys giving new creative life to formerly functional objects.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Naturalistic, Imaginative, Essence
Sculpture Information
This is Emily’s first time exhibiting at Leeds Castle’s Sculpture Trail. We are thrilled to present a selection of Emily’s creations including; Crocodile, Elephant & Calf, Giraffe, Hares Boxing, Hare Hopping, Stag, Stags Rutting and Swan & Nest in Bulrushes.
Her sculptures are inspired by nature and capture the essence of the subjects. She creates sculptures that have a relationship with their surroundings, whether it’s a heron stalking the fish in a pond or an intricate vine heart filling a previously uninteresting space on a wall. Her sculptures will age beautifully in a garden setting because unlike steel, copper doesn’t rust. Emily loves to make art that makes you smile. Made using recycled copper and steel.
Available for purchase:
Crocodile
Elephant & Calf
Giraffe
Hares Boxing
Hare Hopping
Stag
Stags Rutting
Swan and Nest in Bulrushes
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Based in the North of England, Andrew Kay is an award-winning sculptor with his impressive work showcased across the world.
Andrew graduated from Leeds with a BA Hons in Design in 1992. He then toured Scandinavia extensively on a travel scholarship, gaining inspiration for animals and nature. Following time spent as a set designer at The Franz Kafka theatre in Prague, he set up a workshop in his native Cumbria in 1993.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Original Wildlife Sculpture
Sculptures Information
A Herd of Red Deer; Watchful Stag, Alert Hing, Grazing Doe: Drawing from the natural world for inspiration, the life size sculptures capture the powerful anatomy and essence of wild beasts using deceptively simple form and structure. Made using cold forged mild steel bar.
The River Heron: This sculpture draws inspiration from the natural world, using deceptively simple form and structure. Made using cold forged mild steel bar.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Born in London, I graduated as a mature student from Wimbledon School of Art in 2004. My work is in collections on four continents and my love of dogs was always going to merge into my art.
Early on, whilst looking at my sculptures, it was clear they would never appear to be looking back at me. Sculptures look blind. Surprisingly, when I covered their eyes with a pair of goggles, they didn’t look so vacant. They came alive. I enjoy making these fantasies and hope to raise a smile through their quirkiness and humour.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Dogs With Goggles
Sculpture Information
Air Heart: A great pleasure is observing puppies so excited by the prospect of running free. That moment their back legs actually begin to overtake the front ones and, with all four paws off the ground, they become airborne. Whilst creating this little girl, I got to thinking of other great females who shared this love of flying. The name itself was a gift. Amelia Earhart was not just an adventurer and fantastic role model, but her name is the most marvellous homophone with exactly the right meaning. “Flying might not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price.” – Amelia Earhart. This piece was created in clay, I then make a rubber mould from which I cast my work as limited editions. This sculpture is made from resin into which Iron powder has been suspended. Resin is a very strong material and, in most situations, functions just like a true metal, expanding and contracting with heat and cold. Resin is recommended to temperatures not exceeding -10° C, and can be covered during cold periods to prevent damage.
Chi Wow Wow: Goggles on dogs have become an enjoyable part of my practice. This little fella is one of the few pieces that is taken from a specific breed. It is no secret that Chihuahua’s are big dogs trapped in a little body. Well, this one is no exception. Though he is life-sized, these goggles are the largest I have ever applied to a sculpture and he seems to say ‘Look at me! Aren’t I magnificent?’. The title just seemed obvious. This piece was originally created in clay and cast in bronze in a limited edition of 8.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Carole Andrews has a degree in Fine Art and works from her studio at home in Kent. Her imagination is sparked by watching her garden change and develop throughout the year. The diversity of texture, form and design she sees in nature, feeds into the organic and semi-abstract sculpture she builds.
She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Sculptors, and has exhibited widely around the country, Europe and the USA, with clients in the UK, France, Portugal, Italy and the Channel Islands.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Organic, Abstract, Strange
Sculpture Information
Double Ring: When you look into a pond you see rings expanding on the surface as insects land or raindrops fall. This surface movement of the water gave me the idea to engrave and paint ovals of sheet acrylic and form them into circles that would move, though not through water but air. Made using sheet acrylic.
Flowerhead: Petal shaped sheet acrylic is painted and engraved to create an eye-catching moving sculpture that animates a space and sparkles in the sunlight. Made using sheet acrylic.
Franchetti Green 1, Green 2 and Red & Green: The garden plant known as ‘Chinese Lanterns’ produces papery orange globes in the autumn. These globes became the source of my Franchettii series of sculpture. Three are on display here. Made using roofing felt, steel and resin.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Tucked away in the Chiltern Hills countryside is a hidden British sculpture studio: Elliott of London. Founded by young British sculptor Charles Elliott, he has helped the brand to earn themselves national and international recognition already. With their sculptures shown at various locations including the prestigious Royal Ascot Racecourse and Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott of London is a thriving haven of hand forged metal artwork. Each piece is initially designed and handmade by Charles and his small devoted team in their sculpture studio on the borders of Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. They always go in with a hands-on approach using various traditional and modern techniques – some even date back to the 1900s with the old loyal power hammer which is a huge talking point for anyone visiting the studio.
The variety of sculptures, materials, finishes and options available proves they really do push the boundaries for each client. From the array of sphere sizes, designs, styles and finishes all the way up to the stunning characterful Equestrian sculptures they create.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: British Handmade Sculpture
Sculpture Information
Bronze Equilibrio Sculpture: One of our iconic sculptures, the Bronze Equilibrio. Inspired by the flow of water and energy. Created using mild steel, which is hand bend and placed together prior to hot zinc galvanizing then hand painting.
Matte Black & Copper Sphere: Black and gorgeous Copper gilt Interior. This piece is hot zinc galvanised initially to secure and protect the piece from nature and rust for over 30 years. Designer Charles said: “Each sail piece is individually textured and finished with a luxurious patina by hand!” Inspired by the modern and contemporary feel, this piece is now installed in many homes and gardens across the world. It can be used as a garden focal point or also as an interior piece; it can be scaled down accordingly and illuminated internally.
Matte Black & Copper Spiral Sculpture: This stunning colour combination gives a very modern feel, with the internal of the spiral really catching the natural light, and the edgy clean lines of the Matte Black giving it a new twist on an ever-growing sculpture. Inspired by fire, flow and energy. Created using mild steel, which is hot zinc galvanised prior to hand painting.
Organic Flow Rustic Sphere: Timeless Rustic patina Sphere Sculpture, the perfect addition for any garden or outside space area. Inside by the autumnal falling leaves and nature. This piece can be finished in a luxurious progressive rustic patina or a hot galvanised finish to protect the piece from nature and rust for over 30 years. Handmade from 8mm round mild steel, each piece bent by hand in our Hertfordshire studio. Illumination Kits can also be added to the internal tube of this sculpture.
Rustic Patina Peacock Sculpture: The Rustic Patina Peacock Sculpture oozes natural tones with its portal invites to focus on the surrounding landscapes. To suit any interior and exterior space – also available in a Rustic Patina, Verdigris and Gold patina and our Cappuccino Bronze patina. Created using mild steel, which is hot zinc galvanised prior to hand painting.
Swift Seed Sculpture: Designed and Handcrafted by Elliott of London from mild steel with a luxurious progressive Exterior and glowing Interior. This piece is created using 6mm mild steel, which is hot zinc galvanised initially to secure and protect the piece from nature and rust for over 30 years, these can be hand painted, left rustic or have hot zinc galvanised finish. Designer Charles said: “Each seed piece is individually textured and finished with a luxurious patina by hand!” – This sculpture can be used as a garden focal point or also as an interior piece; it can be scaled down accordingly and illuminated internally.
Verdigris and Gold Spiral: Luxurious Verdigris and Gold Spiral Sculpture, each twist is hand bent using mild steel within our Hertfordshire studio, meaning no two are ever the same. Inspired by fire, flow and energy – meaning this piece is suitable for any space or outdoor area. These can be left in a natural rustic patina, finished in a hot zinc galvanised finish or hand painted with a variety of patina options.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Clare Bigger is a figurative sculptor who captures the spontaneity of movement in her work. She uses stainless steel to create contemporary, fluid forms and bring a lightness and grace to her sculptures. She exhibits internationally, producing both private and public commissions featuring her two passions: sport and nature.
Her childhood was spent in Africa and she has travelled extensively, both fuelling her appreciation and curiosity for the natural world. She also has a black belt in taekwondo, giving her an intimate understanding of movement which imbues her work with a dynamism, whether it’s a swooping bird, a dancer balancing en pointe, boxing hares or a sprinter in full flight.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Capturing Fluid Movement
Sculpture Information
Swan Taking Off: I first became interested in owls about 20 years ago and have since also made various birds of prey and other birds like puffins, golden plovers and swifts. It’s always a challenge for a sculptor to capture the flight of birds using a solid material whilst preserving that lightness, speed and agility. Swans are magnificent birds and appear in many myths and legends as symbols of beauty and love. They have recently become a focus for my inspiration. Made using stainless steel.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
David Gisby studied fine art at Ashford School of Art and Design, after which he spent seven years as a stained glass conservator, rebuilding stained glass panels from across the South East of England.
He is a qualified welder specialising in multiple materials. He uses these skills to create metal and glass sculptural pieces, that allow leaded glass to be enjoyed without the necessity and limitations of a traditional window. He utilises a mix of new and reclaimed metal and glass to create works that respond to and celebrate the beauty of the materials.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Metal, Glass, Sculpture
Sculpture Information
Coming from a restoration background of saving and rebuilding stained glass and leaded glass windows, my work utilises traditional crafts and processes to create objects that embrace the beauty of the natural world, celebrating the cycling of the seasons and the recycling of materials.
My work looks at enhancing microscopic details of nature, putting them into the traditional form of lead and glass. The steel frames, made from a mixture of new and scavenged materials allow me to remove the limitations of the window frame, and display glass in different locations and unique shapes often inspired by the materials themselves. Made using leaded glass and steel; a mixture of recycled and new.
Available for purchase:
Horse Chestnut Leaf
Oak Leaf
Monstera Leaf
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Donna received a BA (hons) from UCA Canterbury followed by a MA Fine Art at the Royal College of Art in London. She has taught at Leeds Metropolitan University, Canterbury College and University College for the Creative Arts in Canterbury. She now teaches stone carving at her Sculpture Studio in Ramsgate, alongside working on her own sculptures.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Welded Metal Animals
Sculpture Information
Nature inspires me and my love of animals. Capturing the energetic and symbolic nature of animals in welded steel that rusts, with lines reminiscent of a drawing in three dimensions.
Our connections to nature must be restored as our souls are craving to be re-enchanted once more by our beautiful planet. The animals are majestic reminders of our oneness to them and nature.
Available for purchase:
Welded Steel Dogs
Welded Steel Herons
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Elizabeth initially trained at the Laban Centre Contemporary Dance School. She discovered sculpture quite by accident. Always having loved two-dimensional art, she was intrigued and excited by the possibilities of a third dimension. Enrolling in a metal sculpture class at Morley College, London, she learned to weld and sculpt in steel. Around the same time, Elizabeth studied stone carving with Pat Rae. Reflecting this mix, her early work often combined steel and stone. Shortly after that, Elizabeth moved to Suffolk where she now has her studio. She has been working mainly in metal for the last 23 years.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Sculptural Metal Creatures
Sculpture Information
Nature, particularly birds, has been a passion of Elizabeth’s from an early age. She remembers, as a child, leafing through her father’s bird books and since then has continued to make regular trips to the Suffolk Coast, especially to RSPB’s Minsmere nature reserve. Her aim is to share what she sees with other people through the medium of sculpture where she extracts the essence of a creature. Not trying to create an exact replica, but rather to capture the feeling, movements and appearance of a bird, mammal or an insect – a moment in time in their life.
Alongside birds, Elizabeth also always has been interested in bats: from a childhood fear that they might get caught in her hair to her current fascination with the shapes they make, particularly whilst roosting. Elizabeth uses mild steel in nearly all of her sculptures. Sometimes she uses freshly-bought steel but also will make use of reclaimed materials. She likes farm machinery, tools, anything she can weld. Often, she will include textiles, wood, stone but her starting point is always the steel.
Available for purchase:
Baby Heron
Butterfly
Duck (Egyptian Series)
Heron After Harper
Honey Bee
Ibis (Egyptian Series)
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Born in the Transvaal in South Africa, Les now lives in Lenham, Kent. He completed 23 years colour service with the UK Armed Forces, serving all over the world and is now enjoying the tranquillity and peace of life in Kent with his partner Hannah.
Les has been carving full time since November 2012 and has a fully kitted out workshop near Harrietsham where he makes a variety of products. These include traditional chainsaw carvings, hand engraved signs, bowls, platters, benches and garden tables. Les also creates carvings in situ and attends shows and fairs throughout the year.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Wooden, Chainsaw, Bespoke
Sculpture Information
Les’ sculpture creations have been a favourite part of the Leeds Castle Sculpture Trail since its launch in 2021. This year, we are thrilled to present a selection of Les’ creations including; Fish, Highland Cow, Nature Tree, Parliament of Owls, Snails and Vulture.
All of Les’ creations are inspired by nature is all its wonderful forms. The movement of the animal is represented in the chainsaw carvings so all can appreciate the intricate details of the creature. Made using conifer and pine.
Available for purchase from:
Fish
Highland Cow
Nature Tree
Parliament of Owls
Snails
Vulture
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Luke Black was born and raised in Kent, South East England. From an early age, he was fascinated with the natural world and all the details it possesses; its creatures, critters, and colours.
Luke’s admiration for animals provided the inspiration for his current collections of wall-hung and ornamental sculptures. These pieces, depicting the natural exotic world, were primarily designed for domestic use; within homes, businesses and gardens.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Detailed, Expressive, Texture
Sculpture Information
Stride: ‘Stride’ was created to reflect the Luke’s admiration of majestic animals that inhabit the world, using expressive details and textures to capture the resemblance of the animal. Creating a sculpture that not only shows balance between subtle movement and grace alongside bold silhouettes from all angles. The Indian rhino is not as well-known as its cospecies but its heavy plated armour and short frontal horn are distinctive features, also known as the greater one-horned rhinoceros. This creature is considered vulnerable in the wild giving Luke more purpose in sculpting this majestic beast, furthering awareness of the lesser-known Asian species. Other Asian species consist of the Javan and Sumatran rhinoceros which are heavily endangered. Luke is looking to further his ornamental sculpture range with these particular animals in the future. Made using cold cast iron resin and iron powder.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
After graduating from Hereford College of Arts in 2013, Nik went into creating interpretations of insects, sea-life and animals. Working primarily in combinations of metal and wood, his studies could be anything from palm sized to four metres across.
Nik draws his inspiration from the natural world and mixes it with his love of fantasy and science fiction. Most of Nik’s sculptures are designed for indoors but he also makes a range of pieces for display in outdoor spaces.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Reclaimed Metal Sculptures
Sculpture Information
Grace (Horse Head Bust): I have grown up surrounded by horses and find them incredibly beautiful creatures. I try and capture the essence of their form using reclaimed materials and a fluid sketch like way of working. I often create a composition and then disassemble it several times to get the look I am after. Made using reclaimed steel.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Rob has only been creating sculptures for around five years, where he started by making practical art including bootstraps (art you can wipe your feet on), coat hooks and elaborate bird tables. All out of wood comes from his log pile and the scrap metal and junk found at boot fairs.
Often asked if he does ‘steampunk stuff’, but instead follows his own expression ‘woodpunk art’. Rob has taught myself to weld and basic woodworking skills. His art is ‘raw’ as he only uses very basic tools to make his creations in his shed. Rob is an owner lorry driver and this is his release.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Raw, Unique, Captivating
Sculpture Information
The Family of Giant Tortoises: ‘Tell, Terminator and Old Big Head’ – The family of giant tortoises. These sculptures/garden seats came about when I was chain sawing logs for our fire. I cut a large length of beech wood into rings which when I looked had a beautiful fungus spores pattern through them. I know this is called sported beech, and quickly made some amateur chainsaw carving in the shape of a tortoise shell and like it. I then set about the body which was fun and went well for the first and second tortoise. The last tortoise was made from an ash tree that had fell across the road near me.
Still Not Left Home Yet: ‘Kangaroo and Joey’ – I created this sculpture as a ‘tongue in cheek’ dig at parents whose children haven’t left home to their despair. I didn’t realise what a strange shaped animal the Kangaroo was until I brought an animals of the world book from the boot fair. I started with the feet, which on a Kangaroo are very odd, then worked up to its middle, also very odd! Then it was too tall to fit between my bench and the roof of my shed, so I had to put it on the floor. This was a challenge but also enjoyable as it took shape. I do not sketch or draw, very rarely measure, I do what I call “just throw some spanners at it”. This sculpture is a big one, but only took me around 35 hours to make. The more you look the more you will see!
The Fox and Hungry Squirrel: This sculpture is a twist on the fox who usually eats the squirrel. The squirrel is made from an old gin trap. They are made from all sorts of tools with the tails being made from old fashioned soldering irons, which my wife and I have been collecting from boot fairs for many years. My plan was to make the fox completely out of these, but I had nowhere near enough! I really liked the finished contrast of copper to steel. Can you see the second gin trap?
Pride of Lions: “Leo, Leona, Clarence and Clarissa” – This sculpture came about after a good friend who used to work at Leeds Castle jokingly said “how about a full-size male lion?” and I thought why not! I used animal books from boot fairs to get an idea of size and shape. Then I drew a chalk line on the bench as a start. I did not realise how big a male lion was until I saw one on the telly a lot bigger than Leo! So this pride is ¾ size. My work is ‘raw’ and some of the welding ‘rustic’ but I create in a shed with limited tools, an arc welder that doesn’t adjust, a grinder and cutter. Also the item’s I weld sometimes do not want to go together and put up a fight!
Beneath the Ocean / Smorgas Board: This sculpture is made up from old tools and just anything I had around me thrown at it. I had no idea what this one would be when I went into my shed, which is just how I like to work. When I don’t know what I am going to make, there are no rules or restrictions just me and my imagination and lots of stuff to weld together! I am very prolific at producing when I make sculptures and have a confidence and not any fear of failure, a huge stress release from my lorry driving job!
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
Teresa graduated and qualified as a sculptor and tutor at Winchester School of Art and Brighton University. Sculpting since 1979, her artistic practice involves the rhythmic manipulation of clay in differing states.
The consistency of clay is affected by the passing of time, with the application becoming somewhat of a performance; frantic, fiddly and fatalistic. Often very complex forms are created and cast by Teresa, usually with rubber moulds, to create original durable forms to survive public spaces, including some in Shoreham-by-Sea, her town of birth, and here on display at Leeds Castle.
Three words to describe your art/sculptures: Original, Eccentric, Intricate
Sculpture Information
Cat with Carpet Camouflage: ‘Cat with Carpet Camouflage’ part of my wildly domesticated series of feline sculptures. Made using iron and copper fibre glass resin. Approx. 40cms high.
Helmets for Peace: ‘Helmets for Peace’, a tortoise perches on a discarded helmet inhabited with an abandoned bird’s nest representing protective strategies in a turbulent world. Made using copper and marble resin.
Royal Helix: ‘Royal Helix’ is constructed as a spiral that travels from the twisting horns to the body form. The curves of the composition, seen from the side view, recreate a hunter’s longbow when seen reflected in still water.
Tiger Roar: ‘Tiger Roar’ is part of an edition from the territorial tiger we sculptured for London Zoo in 2013. Made using bronze resin.
Tragopan: ‘Tragopan Pheasants’ is inspired by the Tragopan, a bird genus in the pheasant family of South Asia. They have amazing plumage and fleshy protuberances on their heads which have given them the Latin name for the Greek tragos which translates to goat and mythical Pan. Made using bronze resin.
Sculptures are available to purchase, please contact the events team for more information.
