Dart Art
ELISABETH HADLEY
Local sculptor and artist, well known locally for her River Dart mermaid ‘Miranda’, talks to By The Dart
What made you become a sculptor? I was born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and from a very early age my mother noticed that I had an artistic talent which luckily she very much encouraged. She took me to extra art classes and at school I loved creating pottery, especially modelling animals. I could always be found in the pottery department even in my spare time. After a Foundation Course I went to Bristol Polytechnic where I studied for my B.A.(Hons) in Ceramics. During this time I won a competition to design a trophy for Sports Personal- ity South West which was executed in silver and porcelain on a mahogany base. Whilst studying I found I had an aptitude for sculpting figures and modelling so my degree show consisted of very figurative work. I had a tutor who worked part time for Royal Doul- ton and he took me to the Sir Henry Doulton School of Sculpture in Stoke on Trent, which was very traditional with life modelling and drawing, anatomy and mould making. They only took on seven students every two years but I decided it was what I would really like to do. Although my application was accepted, I had a year to wait so I thought I would do the postgraduate course at Bristol in Fine Art to learn other skills. By chance I saw a position advertised at Aardman Animations as a freelance model maker. I applied for the job and they asked me to start the next day! So I ended up spending a year making plasticine models and working on several TV commercials – Lurpak butter and Cadbury’s Crème Eggs - being just two of them.
I also did work for the short animated film War Story and I was also asked to be the voice of Wendy in thirteen
episodes of short animated films entitled Rex the Runt for Channel 4 television. I really enjoyed that year but even so I was keen to continue my studies. Working had given me enough money to see me through the three follow- ing years at the School doing a postgraduate Figurative Sculpture course. I was successful again in another design competition and a piece of my sculpture was translated to become a medallion for promoting the National World Wild Life Fund for Nature. After I completed my course, I worked at Stafford College for a few years until I decided a change was overdue.
When did you move to Brixham? Thirteen years ago last month. I had friends living there and thought it would be a good place to set up a studio, which I did on Milton Street. I am now based in St Mary’s Yard in Horsepool Street.
Describe your work?
My work consists of producing limited edition bronzes, taking on private commissions. As I am keen to pass on my accumulated knowledge, I also give master classes in life sculpting. I model in clay or wax mediums then usually produce the moulds myself for the smaller pieces in silicone rubber.
I have travelled quite widely and I am much inspired by African art. I also have a passion for Greek mythology, which can be seen in my work. Probably my most well known sculpture is a commission produced in 2006 for a life size mermaid christened ‘Miranda’, which was cast in bronze, and is sited on private land at the mouth of the
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