Amanda Hughes - Port Lympne Artist-in-Residence

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Tues 02/08/11
I was elated when I found out I had been chosen for the Port Lympne residency and to make a piece for the Aspinall Foundation. The Zoo Park is a short distance from my house so I have a familiar fondness about it, I also have a close affinity with nature and animals, so this residency felt perfect for me.
The proposal I sent in was for a Timber Wolf or a African Hunting dog sculpture, made from steel and Ivy, but after seeing pictures of my previous work (especially the Bull) in the interview, I was asked whether it would be possible to make a 'Rhino'!....I have always wanted to make a Dinosaur and this isn't far from it!!
This species is endangered and I felt honored to be able to celebrate them in the form of sculpture.
After a bit of jiggery pokery, I managed to work out the funding for a full sized Rhino and started mulling through constructional ideas, prior to getting to know the creatures themselves.

Amanda

Mon 08/08/11
Once all the boxes were ticked and arrangements for access were discussed I was let free with my sketchbook.

With 'Official Artist' badge in hand I started sketching the Rhino's on Tuesday afternoon. They were surprisingly agile and illusive, but I managed to get a few motion sketches and sat watching the mother of the calf with more detail. There are a lot more sketches to be done before I start building the piece in steel, as I need to get the awareness of how the weight is distributed and their overall characters, to be able to make a piece that does this magnificent beast justice.

Amanda