Don’t you just love it when something falls effortlessly into place? Well that exactly what happened with this little “Twist”.  

Whilst sheltering from the infernal drizzle at the Tenbury show (a great local show by the way, even in the rain!) a friend asked if I had ever thought of sculpting a swallow and it got me “Twisting”. 

A few pieces of chicken wire later, a delicate little swallow formed itself in my hand. It seemed to just come together. The curve of the wire itself, led the arced shape of the wings and tail. A left over snippet of wire trimmed from the wing, formed a perfect beak and the little bird flew. 

A simple silver bud vase made an ideal base for my little swallow to soar above. 

I loved how this little swallow came together, seemingly on its own, so I decided to make a series of these acrobatic little birds. As dancers in the sky, each of my little birds is named after a prima ballerina.

*Skylar Brandt – American Ballet Theatre 

**Sylvie Guillem – Paris Opera Ballet School

Margot & Darcey – 2023

Later in the same year, having seen and liked my work, a couple of friend’s asked if I would be willing to make a “Twist” for them. Specifically they both asked if they could commission a swallow each. I headed for the studio and “Twisted” a pair of birds to add to my series of little sky dancers. 

As with my previous swallows, they are also named after prima ballerinas. On this occasion, Margot Fonteyn and Darcey Bussell, both of whom were prima ballerinas at The Royal Ballet.