Winning sculpture takes up residence in Saltram Garden

As winter approaches Saltram Garden near Plymouth, staff, volunteers and visitors have been blessed with a bright new addition. A beautiful sculpture of a bird in flight is now on display for all to enjoy.

Saltram’s Garden contains a wealth of plants from across the globe as well as some stunning architectural wonders and water features. It now hosts this beautifully elegant sculpture, providing a focal point at the end of the Holm Oak Avenue. The sculpture is called ‘White Tern Soaring’ and was made by Jeremy Davies based in Tavistock.

Jeremy, a former director of Plymouth Arts Council, previously ran a farm and restaurant with his wife but has now has turned to sculpting. Jeremy said: "I just started experimenting and I have always been good with my hands. I used to do evening classes in silver work and have kept it up."

Jeremy’s inspiration for this sculpture sprung from his admiration of the way birds move. He says that his challenge was to capture their grace, poise and movement. He uses resin and aluminium hydroxide, with glass fibre added for strength, to create the alabaster texture. It is a time consuming process, where the shape is slowly built upon an armature until the desired form has been achieved. The finish is achieved by some very demanding polishing.

The sculpture was the winner of a competition at another National Trust place, Overbeck’s near Salcombe, and will remain at Saltram until spring. It is available to buy and enquiries can be made by contacting Penny Hammond, Head Gardener at Saltram on 01752 333500 or penny.hammond@nationaltrust.org.uk.