'Miranda'
Elizabeth Hadley
What made you become a sculptor?
I was born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and from a very early age my mother noticed that I had an artistic talent which luckily she very much encouraged. She took me to extra art classes and at school I loved creating pottery, especially modelling animals. I could always be found in the pottery department even in my spare time. After a Foundation Course I went to Bristol Polytechnic where I studied for my B.A.(Hons) in Ceramics. During this time I won a competition to design a trophy for Sports Personality South West which was executed in silver and porcelain on a mahogany base. Whilst studying I found I had an aptitude for sculpting figures and modelling so my degree show consisted of very figurative work.
I had a tutor who worked part time for Royal Doulton and he took me to the Sir Henry Doulton School of Sculpture in Stoke on Trent, which was very traditional with life modelling and drawing, anatomy and mould making. They only took on seven students every two years but I decided it was what I would really like to do. Although my application was accepted, I had a year to wait so I thought I would do the postgraduate course at Bristol in Fine Art to learn other skills. By chance I saw a position advertised at Aardman Animations as a freelance model maker. I applied for the job and they asked me to start the next day! So I ended up spending a year making plasticine models and working on several TV commercials – Lurpak butter and Cadbury’s Crème Eggs - being just two of them.
I also did work for the short animated film War Story and I was also asked to be the voice of Wendy in thirteen episodes of short animated films entitled Rex the Runt for Channel 4 television. I really enjoyed that year but even so I was keen to continue my studies. Working had given me enough money to see me through the three following years at the School doing a postgraduate Figurative Sculpture course. I was successful again in another design competition and a piece of my sculpture was translated to become a medallion for promoting the National World Wild Life Fund for Nature. After I completed my course, I worked at Stafford College for a few years until I decided a change was overdue.
When did you move to Brixham?
Thirteen years ago last month. I had friends living there and thought it would be a good place to set up a studio, which I did on Milton Street. I am now based in St Mary’s Yard in Horsepool Street.
Describe your work?
Elisabeth Hadley
My work consists of producing limited edition bronzes, taking on private commissions. As I am
keen to pass on my accumulated knowledge, I also give master classes in life sculpting. I model in clay or wax mediums then usually produce the moulds myself for the smaller pieces in silicone rubber.
I have travelled quite widely and I am much inspired by African art. I also have a passion for Greek mythology, which can be seen in my work. Probably my most well known sculpture is a commission produced in 2006 for a life size mermaid christened ‘Miranda’, which was cast in bronze, and is sited on private land at the mouth of the River Dart. It is really lovely when people tell me they have seen it; it seems to have become quite a landmark and a tourist attraction!
I am currently involved in producing a one and a half times life size memorial sculpture in bronze to be positioned on the new fish quay in Brixham as a tribute to and celebration of the fisherman of this town. I based my wax maquette on the etchings created by Arthur Briscoe who drew fishermen at sea in the early 1900s. I feel really honored to have been asked to produce it, to give something back to the town I have grown to love so much.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I have done quite a bit of sailing since moving here and kayaking is something I enjoy very much. I have kayaked most of the Devon coast and the entire Cornish coast. I am Chair of the IBEX canoe club which is based in Brixham and I coach for them in the summer and do white water kayaking on the River Dart in the winter. I have started doing a bit of climbing as well, mostly due to James ‘my other half’. It is nice to be able to do something together and we did a climb of Berry Head called Moonraker a few weeks ago, which has long been an ambition of James’. I am also on the committee for Golden Vanity which is one of four gaff-rigged traditional vessels, built between 1892 and 1924 run by Trinity Sailing Foundation. I just love the outdoors! From the sea to the moors and all the activities that it allows. My dog Guinness also appreciates the walks.
First published December 2010 By the Dart