This life size study of a male lion was born of an overwhelming desire to sculpt a big cat on one to one scale. I envisaged this portrait as a grand eye catching piece designed to draw focus in a large space.

I was struck by an image I found of a lazing lion; relaxed, yet watchful. This was something I wanted to capture in this lion’s eyes: a wild, dangerous animal at peace, almost pensive, yet incredibly powerful and at any moment deadly.

I constructed a steel armature to sustain the excessive weight of the wet clay  during the sculpting process. Although only a head, the sculpt weighed over 80kg and was fixed to a purpose-built sculpting stand.

The sculpture displayed is cast in iron resin. Over time, the naturally occurring oxidisation of the steel powder mixed into the resin changes the colour as the rust naturally develops. This represents the hues found in the fur and mane of an adult male lion. 

The oxidisation process will continue to mature but will not affect the integrity of the fibreglass resin core, so if displayed outside, the elements will not claim this artwork. If preferred, the colour can be  maintained by applying a top coat to seal the surface stopping the rusting process and maintaining the existing colour and finish.

The Lion is available as a limited edition of 6

in 4 different metal resin finishes:

Bronze Verdigris, Bronze, Rusted Iron and Pewter

Sculpture Dimensions

Height 60cm

Width 46cm

Depth 50cm

Base Dimensions

Length 30cm

Width 30cm

Depth 4cm