RICHMOND ARTIST’S WORK CHOSEN TO BE EXHIBITED ALONGSIDE GREAT SCULPTORS - SURREY’S NEXT MICHELANGEL

Nature in Art, the UK’s national museum dedicated to art inspired by nature, has chosen work from a local Richmond sculptor to be exhibited alongside some of the world’s leading artists, including Picasso, Bugatti and Audabon.

[ClickPress, Thu Apr 10 2008] Nature in Art, the UK’s national museum dedicated to art inspired by nature, has chosen work from a local Richmond sculptor to be exhibited alongside some of the world’s leading artists, including Picasso, Bugatti and Audabon. Matthew Bodoano-Jones most recent work, limited edition sculptures of wolves, will go on display from June 2008.

The latest talent to hit the art world, Matthew Bodoano-Jones*, is giving collectors the opportunity to now own unique limited edition hand crafted sculptures of wolves, an endangered species. Matthew is so passionate about getting close to his subject that he risked spending time in enclosures with the animals.

Unlike conventional mass produced cold cast resin Matthew used the highly skilled, labour intensive lost wax process to handcraft the sculptures in bronze. This historical technique, which has been used since 2000 BC, gives a unique quality and finish to the sculptures, with even the fingerprints of the artist still visible.

Matthew has had a fascination for wildlife and movement from the age of seven, when he started sculpting animals in terracotta. The sensitivity of his modelling and his ability to capture both the action and expression of his subjects caught the attention of his teachers. He was encouraged to apply for a scholarship at the City and Guilds of London Art School. He was successful, and during his training Matthew made frequent trips to Richmond Park, filling book after book with sketches of the deer.

For this current collection Matthew spent time with wolves in the French alps and will be donating 10% of all the proceeds to the UK Wolf Conservation Trust**, who allowed him to spend time in enclosures with North American and European wolves:

“It was a privilege to be so close to these inspirational animals, interacting with both pups and adults. In order to truly bring these magnificent creatures to life through sculpture I needed to have an opportunity to touch their fur, feel the formation of their anatomy, see close to the look in their eyes, get a real understanding of their traits. At times it was slightly nerve racking but it was the only way to capture the spirit of these wild extraordinary animals, to produce the authentic like feel of the sculptures”
Matthew Bodoano-Jones

There are three sculptures depicting three different stages of a hunt:

• The trotting wolf covering mile after mile in pursuit of prey (11 of an edition of 12 available)
• The stalking wolf closing in steadily, the moment when predator and prey size one another up, fixing gazes before the final flight (limited edition of 12 available)
• The final chase, where the wolf attempts to come to terms with the quarry, running them down in a test of endurance and speed (limited edition of 12 available)

The solid bronze sculptures are for sale from £1,995.00 - £2500.00 each.


For further information contact Beccy Whittles, MAX PR on:
020 8334 5749 / beccy@maxpr-events.com

High res. images of the sculptures available

Matthew Bodoano-Jones available for interview


* To enquire about the limited edition wolf bronze sculptures, or to discuss individual and private commissions, contact Matthew Bodoano-Jones directly on: 07894 162444 / matthewbodoanojones@hotmail.co.uk

** The UK Wolf Conservation Trust works to keep wolves in the wild, run educational projects, and provides financial support to a number of conservational projects across Bulgaria, Croatia and Russia, who are working to re-introduce and establish wolves back into their natural habitat.

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