THE NELSON PROJECT – SUZIE MARSH AND LOOE DEVELOPMENT TRUST

NELSON THE SEAL BECOMES IMMORTAL

Nelson the Bronze Seal in Looe Harbour

PUBLIC ART FOR ALL TO SEE

In May 2008 a bronze replica of a resident seal in Looe Harbour Cornwall was sponsored by the LOOE DEVELOPMENT TRUST and ARTIST/ORIGINATOR SUZIE MARSH for all to see.  Situated on a rock opposite the Harbour Lifeboat Centre, Nelson proudly surveys the daily life of  Looe Harbour.

THE STORY OF NELSON THE SEAL

There once was a resident seal that was quite a famous tourist attraction in Looe Harbour, Cornwall, befriended by the local fishermen, Nelson the seal would be well looked after with all manner of fish.  He was well loved and attracted the tourists to this quaint town in Cornwall.  When he passed away at a ripe old age, The Looe Harbour Trust decided to commission local artist Suzie Marsh to sculpt a memorial life size bronze of Nelson so that the happy times would not be forgotten.

SUZIE MARSH

Suzie Marsh studied sculpture at Brighton and Exeter Colleges of Art and was awarded her degree in Ceramic sculpture in 1986.  Suzie has been sculpting for 19 years and uses a range of materials such as cermaic, cold cast bronze resin, pewter and bronze.  Her work is based on figurative and animal forms and is widely available in galleries throughout the UK.  Suzie works from her studio/workshops in Cornwall.

The Nelson sculpture was originated over a period of months at Suzies’ studio, measuring 7′, a life size sculpture made in clay.  It was decided that Nelson would be replicated in Bronze as he was to be situated on a rock in the sea and needed to be durable.  This is where our Bronze Foundry, Art of A Fine Nature joined the project and we began the intricate process to re-create Nelson in bronze.

Click on the blue link to go to Suzies’ web site.” web site.

HOW WE MADE NELSON THE SEAL IN BRONZE

FIRST WE MADE A MOULD OF NELSON FROM THE ORIGINAL CLAY SCULPTURE.

We used a rubber paint on solution to capture the exact shape and texture of him. Many kilos of this solution were used.  Each layer of rubber we used had to dry before the next one could be applied.

Coats of rubber being applied to the clay original of Nelson The Seal

WE APPLIED A HARD CASING to the sculpture for extra support.

Extra hard coat for Nelson Sculpture

HE WAS SECTIONED OFF ready for the long journey back to the foundry where the next stages of work began, and the mould was prepared and cleaned ready for the wax work to be carried out.

Un peeling the Nelson Sculpture

We made wax sections from the mould and they were COATED WITH CERAMIC SHELL and dried out ready for casting.

Sections now ready for casting Nelson Sculpture

NELSON FINALLY CONSTRUCTED - was prepared for the patination process and as he weighed so much a hoist was used to move him around.

Flying Nelson

AFTER PATINATION Nelson is ready to start his voyage back to familiar shores.

All are happy at the foundry ! Finished and Fine

TRANSPORTATION BEGINS – Nelson The Bronze Seal goes back to his home town Looe Harbour, Cornwall.

Nelson returns to his home town

THE NELSON PROJECT WAS UNVEILED ON 28TH MAY 2008 BY SIR ROBERT KNOX JOHNSON.