Artists from Ipswich dreaming up animal sculpture magic

Anne-Marie Byrne spray-painting a giant giraffe she is preparing for a sculpture trail. Picture: PAUL HORNE (Image: Paul Horne)

Following the smash hit success of the town’s Pigs Gone Wild event in 2016, an Elmer the Patchwork Elephant trail is set to be launched in the town next year. But, in the meantime, sculpture fans are set to enjoy similar events in other areas.

Artists Anne-Marie Byrne and Lois Cordelia are both decorating colourful creations for various trails around the country, which are being staged in conjunction with Wild in Art,

Giant hares will be moving into Norwich this summer for the GoGoHares trail - and Anne-Marie has just finished painting “Norwich Hareport” to feature in the event.

She is currently starting to paint a giraffe for Worcester Stands Tall. After the giraffe’s arrival at her Ipswich home, she admitted: “He’s actually a lot taller than I’d thought, so that’s going to be a challenge and a half!”

Ipswich artist Anne-Marie Byrne preparing to decorate her hare sculpture for GoGoHares! in Norwich. Picture: ANNE-MARIE BYRNE (Image: Anne-Marie Byrne)

Anne-Marie has also had three designs shortlisted for the Nottingham Hoodwinked event, which will feature robin sculptures dressed in Robin Hood costumes, and a bee for Manchester’s Bee in the City event.

Artist, tutor and demonstrator Lois Cordelia painted one of the early pre-launch Elmer the elephant statues ahead of the Ipswich Elmer trail next year, calling her fairy tale-inspired design, “Imagination can take you anywhere”. She is also submitting designs to the same trail as her fellow-artist and has some shortlisted.

Both women have designs on the shortlist for a trail of giant owls in Bath, which is not a Wild in Art event, but is being run for a local charity. They will also submit designs for two autumn trails, Snowdogs Discover Ashford and Snailspace Brighton & Hove.

“Wild in Art and similar trails are a wonderful benefit to everyone concerned, the charities, local businesses, families and individuals, tourists, and artists,” Lois said.

Part of a hare Anne-Marie Byrne has designed for the GoGoHares event in Norwich. Picture: ANNE-MARIE BYRNE (Image: Anne-Marie Byrne)

“It’s always fantastic to be involved in them. I can’t wait till the next one and am very excited to have had so many pieces shortlisted for upcoming trails!

Next year’s Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk event will run for 12 weeks during the summer, raising funds for St Elizabeth Hospice.

Part of a hare Anne-Marie Byrne has decorated for the GoGoHares event in Norwich. The full design is being kept under wraps. Picture: ANNE-MARIE BYRNE (Image: Anne-Marie Byrne)

Anne-Marie Byrne, left, and Lois Cordelia are both preparing sculptures for trails this year. They are pictured here taking part in the Grand Norwich Duck Race, Picture: ANNE-MARIE BYRNE (Image: Archant)