Sally Derrick
About Sally
It was in the mid 1980’s that Sally first had the opportunity to pursue her interest in sculpture.
For five years she learnt to model the human form from life and the techniques of creating and casting sculptures. At the time she was also lecturing in psychology and drew on this interest in human behaviour to give depth to her work.
In the 1990’s she started taking commissions for portrait heads and has created work for a wide range of people in the fields of sport, politics, music and business as well as private individuals. In 1996 Sally returned to the South Coast of her childhood and started exhibiting widely including in The Royal West of England Academy, St. Barbe, Lymington and several London and more local galleries. She was commissioned to create trophies for two round the world yacht races, the British Steel Challenge and the BT Global Challenge.
However it was wildlife which particularly inspired her. The alertness of animals to predators, the highly evolved adaptations to their environments, new life in spring, as well as the life and death struggles played out everywhere we care to look, were the things that fascinated her. Having been fortunate enough to travel much further afield than Dorset she also created sculptures of many other wonderful species. Always these were animals that she had time to observe closely and to develop a little understanding of their anatomy and behaviours.
Climate change, loss of habitat and issues concerning our place in the planet have led to some more conceptual and thoughtful works. Some of these have provoked most interesting comments in exhibitions and even gained awards. Some of course are controversial, but seeing sculpture as a medium for debate and possibly change has been another development in Sally’s work. It has also led to the use of many different materials and this she has found liberating.
Processes & Materials
Bronze Sculpture
A BRONZE sculpture is cast at the foundry using the lost wax process. This is a long and complex process. If the sculpture is to be smooth in finish it will require many additional hours of work. The metal can then be patinated using chemicals to alter the colour of the bronze and lastly polished.
These Seahorses are an example:
Bronze Resin Sculpture
A BRONZE RESIN cast is produced from mixing a high ratio of bronze metal filler with resin which is then polished to reveal the metal.
These Cormorants are an example:
Clay Sculpture
I also create clay sculptures which need no wire armature and can then be fired in my kiln. These can be treated with oxides and glazes to create desired effects.
This Bullfrog is an example:
