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Team Valegro in Newent 2017
Photo ©Harveywetdog |
Work continues apace to
obtain funding for a half-life sculpture of dressage superstar Valegro to grace
the centre of the Gloucestershire market town of Newent in order to celebrate Valegro’s
achievements in putting British Equestrianism at the centre of the world
sporting map.
Since the project launched in
November 2017, marked by Valegro’s appearance in Newent accompanied by his
rider, Olympic Gold Medalist Charlotte Dujardin, and his groom, Alan Davies,
the project has been busy securing funds and finalising an artist and a design.
After consulting with Carl Hester and Charlotte and one of the potential
artists it was decided that rather than have a full-sized statue of Valegro it
would be half size, or half-life, instead. As project member Jemima Parry-Jones
explained “There were several reasons, not least that it was what Carl wanted,
but also the place where he will stand on a plinth means that a full-sized
statue would have been over powering”.
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Over powering! Valegro at Hartpury in 2016
Photo ©Harveywetdog |
Following the change in plan six
potential artists were chosen, provided with a brief for the project and asked
if they were interested in submitting a design. All six replied enthusiastically
to the brief and after their material had been considered the number of
potential artists was narrowed down to three with a request for more detailed
information. Although Charlotte Dujardin had already stated that she wanted the
statue to be of Valegro on his own, key questions still remained such as should
Valegro be portrayed in extended trot or piaffe, should he be wearing his tack
or not? The additional information and the responses to these questions helped
Carl to choose the artist.
The project are delighted to
announce that Gloucestershire animal artist and sculpture Georgie Welch has
been chosen to undertake the commission, with Valegro plaited and wearing his
competition tack in a pose that has yet to be decided but will be chosen as the
work develops. The next stage will be for Georgie to produce a limited edition of
twelve bronze maquettes (models) of the final design, which will be approx. 11
inches high and which will be sold to raise funds for the project in order to
achieve the ultimate goal of having the Sculpture in place by Spring 2019.
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The Artist Meets her Subject
Photo ©ValegroTheDancingHorse Project |
In addition to the maquettes a
number of copies of Georgie’s initial concept drawings are being made available
to buy. The drawings will be signed by Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin as
well as the artist and will be available to buy at the Hartpury Festival of
Dressage in July 2018.
Artist Statement of
Georgie Welch
“Through my sculpture I attempt
to portray the natural power, grace and beauty of my favourite subjects.
Although I make every effort to broaden my portfolio, the temptation to focus
on working with horses and dogs is often overwhelmingly irresistible.
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An Example of Georgie's work
Photo ©Georgie Welch Website |
Working at the family riding
school during my younger years sowed the seeds of my passion for equestrianism,
spending time later on working with an equine physiotherapist allowed me the
opportunity to study in depth the physical make-up of these glorious animals
and to develop an understanding of their form and composure which is so important
to my work.
Figurative Sculpture was my
chosen discipline to study and during that period I was fortunate to work with
a very established equestrian sculptor for several weeks. After graduating my
first bronze commission came from the owner of a terrific little horse that
years earlier I had competed to Advanced Dressage. Since then I have been
combining sculpture to commission with a portfolio of my own work.
All of my work is cast in the UK and overseen at every stage by the artist.”
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Signed Promo Photo as part of the early fundraising
Photo ©ValegroTheDancingHorse Project |
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The Original Masterpiece
Photo ©Harveywetdog |
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