Large Bronze Sculpture In The Local Landscape

'Artists Take the Lead' Project

Large bronze sculpture proposal for Artists Take The Lead project

I submitted this large bronze sculpture proposal to 'Artists Take the Lead' for their project to commission sculptures in 9 different British regions as part of the 2012 'cultural olympiad'. Mine was to have been a huge bronze at Whitlingham Country Park near Norwich.

I rarely submit for open commissions but I was particularly excited by this one and the process was thought-provoking and quite fun. I had brilliant advice from Marion Catlin and my friend David White who helped me by combining photographs of the sculpture and of the landscape.

My submission was not successful, unfortunately. Still, it would be wonderful to get the chance to do something really big one day!

This page features two of the images we produced and some of the notes I made when thinking about the project....

Large bronze sculpture proposal by Vanessa Pooley

'Flow'

A large, energetic, agile, female figure which is balanced and ready to spring.

I have a regular dream of doing back-flips; lightly speeding across the landscape, I feel movement, flexibility, agility, lightness and freedom. A back-flip shape, like a gymnast in mid movement. Top leg points up to sky. Upward movements in sculpture inspire energy, enthusiasm, optimism.

Curled back; this shape shows agility, flexibility and energy.The three points of contact to make light touch on ground, contrasting with of solid forms of body higher up.Lightness, element of fun/joke as fine detailed extremities set off larger forms.

The sculptured female form is full and rounded, womanly but strong; fit but un-intimidating. This sculpture is determinedly female.Possibly to be called Fat Lady Of Whitlingham, or FLOW.

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I loved the idea of making a sculpture that everyone could interact with, to climb perhaps. There could be a seat hidden underneath, made from her head or her hair. We can walk under her, shelter under her, meet by her.

She'd be awe inspiringly large - but her friendly forms will make her approachable, positive and inspiring.

View my large bronze sculptures gallery!