Wild animals at Arley Hall

Here's a lovely little job that I did recently for Arley Hall, where my studio is based.  This was something a bit out of the ordinary, which is one of the reasons I love my job so much.  While I'm principally a wedding photographer, I can never resist the opportunity to shoot a different subject.   While Arley Hall is a great wedding venue, and I've photographed many weddings there and captured some lovely images of couples in the grounds, I was really looking forward to shooting something different in an environment with which I am so familiar.  

At the end of May the Hall was playing host to a collection of sculptures by South African sculptor Dylan Lewis.  Dylan has won worldwide acclaim for his work, and his latest collection, entitled Predators and Prey II, is garnering similar praise.  It's a series of studies in bronze of wild animals from his homeland, many of which are life sized.

They were on display in the grounds of the Hall before being transported down to London where they will be auctioned by Christie's on June 16th.

The juxtaposition of wild animals from another continent with the formality of the gardens shouldn't work should it?  But somehow, it seems to come together rather wonderfully I think.

So, a beautiful spring day, award winning grounds and gardens of a splendid stately home, and thousands of pounds' worth of sculpture by a world famous artist.  A pretty good combination for creating some great images!

If you want any more information about the auction, visit Christie's website at www.christies.com.  If you decide to put in a bid please let me know.  I'd love to photograph the sculptures again in their new home!

For more information on Dylan and his work go to www.dylanlewis.com.

Arley Hall can be reached via www.arleyhallandgardens.co.uk