Cracker Packers’ statue unveiled
International Women’s Day 8 March 2018 – 11am As you read this, women biscuit factory workers – the so-called Cracker Packers – …
And then there’s the biscuit…
Part of the humour of the piece is that the two Cracker Packers are standing atop a 90cm-wide Carr’s Table Water Biscuit. …
The final clay Cracker Packers
It’s 5.30am in the morning and Sandra, my model, falls asleep standing up. Okay, it’s time to stop. No one else will …
The Cracker Packers’ interaction
How two figures interact is not something I usually need to think about. But I have set myself a challenge. To capture …
Sculpting the clothed figure – II
The Cracker Packer from the early 1900s is ready to be clothed. Of course she’s already wearing her corset. But it’s now …
Sculpting the clothed figure – I
The Cracker Packer from the current day – 2017/18 – is ready to be clothed. Sandra has ‘sat’ patiently – and painfully …
Sculpting the unclothed Cracker Packers
Following traditional best practice, I sculpt the Cracker Packer figures unclothed first. Why? If you think about the clothes you are wearing …
Blocking out the Cracker Packers
First, I need to finalise the Cracker Packers’ figure armatures. My models come in, one at a time, so I can compare …
Working with the Cracker Packer models
In order to breathe life into my Cracker Packer figures I need to work with live models. What I need are two …
Building the Carr’s biscuit armature
Did I mention the biscuit? The two Cracker Packers, from past and present, are standing atop my favourite – a Carr’s Table …
Building the Cracker Packer armatures – II
The work continues for several weeks on the detail of the armatures. It not only has to be strong, it has to …
Building the Cracker Packer armatures – I
Clay is heavy so we need to build a strong metal frame or armature to support it. At this stage I usually …
The Cracker Packers maquette
With the spirit of the Cracker Packers front of mind after the workshop, I am back in the studio working-up the design …
Cracker Packers help design their statue
The past year has gone so quickly. I have been working away in the studio on the Cracker Packers statue, consisting of …
Celebrating women workers – ‘Cracker Packer’ commission
International Women’s Day: press release Award-winning sculptor from Sussex, Hazel Reeves MRBS SWA FRSA, wins Carlisle commission to celebrate in bronze the …