Brazilian artist delights with lifelike sculptures
SHE has never encountered a real sheep, but that has not stopped Mari GomesBradford from making very lifelike sculptures.
The Brazilian artist was among those who showcased their skills during the Otago Arts Society demonstration week at the Dunedin Railway Station, which finished on Saturday.
Her hometown of Sao Paulo was of the biggest cities in the world with more than 12 million people — but very few sheep.
All her sheep sculptures were based on photos, a fact which had stunned a curious young art appreciator, she said.
The first attempt was nevertheless realistic, the second even more so.
Future improvements were likely as she planned to pay a visit to a fellow artist who had a lamb at home and finally see the animal up close after nine years in New Zealand.
‘‘The next one’s going to be better because I will have the feeling of the wool,’’ she said.
Sea lions were another animal she sculpted, although these were easier as she had encountered them along the Dunedin coast.
‘‘Doing something for the environment’’ was an aim of her art.
Plastic bottles were recycled to form the core of larger pieces, while smaller pieces were formed around other plastic waste such as bags.
Seeing artists at work gave people interesting insight into the creative process, she said.
‘‘You see a thing on the wall and you have no idea how it’s been developed — when you see somebody producing something it’s easier to appreciate.’’
Previously the society had held demonstration days, but after these proved popular in the past this year’s event was extended to a full week.
The week had been a success, with at least 100 people attending each day.