Award Winning Sculpture of Kingfishers
The Lamport Hall Bursary Award
With thanks to the Lamport Hall Heritage Trust and Northants Rutland Open Studios (NROS)
Being awarded the Lamport NROS bursary allowed the development of my own professional artistic practice with help, advice and the experienced heritage skills of classic use of patinas achieved by an established foundry.
GW Lunt established in 1930 ( also known as Lunts Castings Ltd) is one of Britain’s oldest established foundries. With a consequential wealth of knowledge and experienced craftsmen yet with contemporary developments in use of new formulas.
Kingfisher Bronze
Challenge & mystery of Patination
From the Coppery tones of newly cast bronze seeking the rich hues of the kingfisher
Although previously I have my work cast well by Red Temple foundry and I have applied colour myself to the cast bronze birds, the overall finish has been considered by some to have a too ‘painted’ appearance. I knew that this differed from a classic use of heat and chemicals on the bronze surface by Lunts. In addition to this some of the materials I have previously used are no longer available.
After further research I found that GW Lunt are producing patination finishes that are not only classic in nature from their rich heritage, but also have developed further to include some colour tones particularly needful for my new bird sculptures – especially the Kingfisher.
Kingfisher Waterfall
The process of patinating at GW Lunts
Being able to have a session with their specialist and in their facilities to achieve the quality and finish possible with this help, and the support from the bursary award, was so beneficial.
Next back to the Tenon Studio to research the materials needed to fix the Bronze Kingfishers and create the waterfall into the slate rock. All this to achieve an interior design accent that will make a great impact and pull together the theme and tones of a contemporary, yet classic look.
Kingfisher Waterfall
The pair of kingfishers in flight now in their colours and the development of the Waterfall design
This Interior design feature celebrating the marvels of wild birds and the colours of the Kingfisher was to be shown at Joel’s last Tenon Studio exhibition at Buckminster in May. The artwork then was selected for the Central Exhibition at Lamport Hall in September 2026.
Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire is a great place to visit for peace of mind to be found in the gardens and is the host for this special gathering of art and craft from across the region as part of NROS – And whether you collect art, love art or are an artist there is much to discover via the NROS website.
If you are interested in this or other Bronze bird sculptures contact Joel
