CREATIVE brilliance and equine excellence will combine to create a fitting piece of artwork at the entrance of the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre at Tamworth.
The staff at AELEC, the Tamworth Region Arts Advisory Committee and local sculptor Adam Humphreys have joined forces to create a sculpture to pay tribute to the horse.
The proposed sculpture, Horses at Ease, consists of two steel sculptures made of hundreds of steel rods installed on the grass out the front of the main AELEC building.
Mr Humphreys grew up riding his family’s horses in Wales, UK, and has a deep understanding of the equine anatomy.
He has the ability to truly embody the movement of these beautiful animals through his use of steel in its three-dimensional form, focusing on organic rounded lines and the expressive nature of his work.
Mr Humphreys has set down roots in the Tamworth Region and lives just outside of the city limits with his wife, Emily Herbert, and their children and is excited to bring this sculpture to life.
“The sculptural design I have crafted incorporates the act of grazing, when the horse is most vulnerable and relaxed,” he said.
“The splay of the horses’ feet as well as the gentle swish of their tails shows the viewer that the two horses are well and truly ‘at ease’. To the keener eye, the pair are moving in the same direction together, their herd instincts engaged.”
Both sculptures will be life and a third in scale, giving them a real presence but keeping them in the realms of reality.
“The aim is to keep the horses as generic as possible so as not to favour any particular equine discipline,” Mr Humphreys said.
“The positioning of the sculptures is pivotal to the effect, with Horse A curving towards Jack Smyth Drive, allowing a side profile to be enjoyed as the spectator arrives by car.
“It’s not until you have parked and are heading to the entrance of the AELEC that you engage with Horse B, whose head is raised curiously to see who has ‘come in through the gate’.”
AELEC venue operations manager, Ace Grinter, said it was incredible to engage someone local to create this piece of public art for the community.
“We really wanted to work with someone local and luckily enough we had Adam right here in the Tamworth Region,” she said.
“His work is truly amazing and we are thrilled to be able to work with Adam to bring his vision to life.”
Tamworth Regional Gallery and Museums director, Bridget Guthrie, said the project continues Council’s commitment to public art.
“Tamworth has some spectacular artworks on display in some of our public spaces and these sculptures will add to that list,” she said.
“It is fitting for this extraordinary facility to get an extraordinary piece of art to welcome people here.”
