Kendra Haste MRSS

Kendra is a renowned contemporary animal sculptor working with the medium of galvanised wire. Since graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1998, she has established a significant reputation in her field with work included in collections worldwide. Kendra is an elected member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, the Society of Wildlife Artists (UK) and a signature member of the Society of Animal Artists (USA).

Haste's public sculptures in the United Kingdom include an elephant at Waterloo Station, London, as well as thirteen works at the Tower of London, commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces in 2010, and a rhinoceros at Cannon Hall Museum, Barnsley. In 2016, 'Bison Head' was purchased by the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, Wyoming, the world's pre-eminent museum dedicated to wildlife art.

'Animals have held an obsessive fascination for me throughout my life. Their diverse form, nature and behaviour provide a rich and inexhaustible depth of subject. Animals have been for many years and continue to be, the sole focus of my work as a sculptor.

What interests me most about studying animals is identifying the spirit and character of the individual creatures. I try to create a sense of the living, breathing subject in a static 3-D form, attempting to convey the emotional essence without indulging in the sentimental or anthropomorphic.

I have been privileged to study many of my subjects in the wild; amazing expeditions, whether tracking tigers in India, or following wildebeest migrations through Tanzania. Direct and intimate study of animals is essential. I spend much time in zoos drawing the phenomena of anatomy and musculature, however, such analysis does not overwhelm my work for it is the spirit and energy of the subject that I fundamentally seek to convey. My sculptures are depictions of individual animals I have encountered, those I have spent time observing or who have left a deep impression on me. These are unique portraits, rather than stereotypical, generalized interpretations of a species.' - Kendra Haste

Brown Bear (Grizzly)

Dreweatts are pleased to be the first people to bring Kendra Haste's work to the auction market. This impressive piece was first exhibited in 2017 at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in their exhibition Sculpt at Kew. Since then it has been located at the Cotswold Sculpture Park.

Kendra uses a bespoke galvanised wire mesh and coil wire manufactured to BS EN standards. The BS EN standards are the highest world-wide benchmarks. In addition, upon completion, each sculpture is applied with a hammerite paint, similar to that used on cars, which adds a further layer of protection. Each sculpture is modelled by building up many dense layers of wire often over a galvanised steel armature. 

'The apparent ordinariness of wire and wire mesh belie their expressive potential and provide ideal material for my sculptures. Drawing is integral to my work as an artist and is perfectly matched by the linear qualities of wire. No other material I have ever used has been able to suggest the sense of movement and life, of contour and volume, the contrasts of weight and lightness, of solidity and transparency - values that I find in my natural subjects. It is the perfect medium, inviting continuing exploration and challenge.' - Kendra Haste

As a unique piece, standing at 1.38 metres and made from steel armature and painted galvanised wire, our Sculpture and Works of Art specialist, Charlotte Schelling, has valued this piece at £25,000-35,000 (+fees).

AUCTION DETAILS
Wednesday 9 September | 10.30am
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

This is an online auction with auctioneer.

VIEWING:

• Please note this lot is not at Donnington Priory but can be viewed by appointment.  Please contact Dreweatts for further details.

For other lots:

• Our specialists will be providing detailed conditions reports and additional images as requested.
• Our Remote Viewing Service also allows you to preview the auction from the comfort of your own home at a time convenient to you | Find out more
• Viewing will be by appointment and in accordance with Covid-19 regulations.
  
  Thursday 3 September: 10am-5pm
  Friday 4 September: 10am-5pm
  Sunday 6 September: 10am-2pm
  Monday 7 September: 10am-5pm
  Tuesday 8 September: 10am-5pm
  There is no viewing on the day of the auction. 
  
  To book a viewing appointment: +44 (0) 1635 553 553 | info@dreweatts.com

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