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Diana Noonan talks with Jacob Richards |
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Jacob Richards has a head for beetles and hands for sculpting. He works with modelling clay, and his creations range from life-sized beetles to minute rosebuds.
"I spend a lot of time researching my subjects," says Jacob. "I might watch a beetle in the garden or lift a koura from the water to see what it looks like, but when I start modelling, I find I always have to check in books for details on body parts, texture, pattern, and colour."
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When it comes to modelling very delicate parts, such as legs or wings, Jacob uses fine wire to strengthen his sculptures. "You can't see the wire," he says. "I embed it in the finished model or work the clay around it. I also use wire for antennae and for any other body parts that are too fine to model from clay."
Jacob also experiments with watercolour painting and pastel drawing. So what is it that has him hooked on sculpture? "I like three-dimensional shapes," he says, "corners and curves. I look at buildings a lot. I notice the shapes of animals.
Once, from the Cook Strait ferry, I saw a dolphin and her baby. The two of them were leaping out of the water, and the curves of their bodies were really amazing. I'll probably try making a dolphin before too long. It won't be easy.
Sculptures of things that are living have to look alive. At an exhibition I went to with my family recently, I saw a piece of jewellery that just didn't work. It was in the shape of a sword-fish, and because the curves of the fish weren't right, the whole thing look stiff and dead. I didn't like looking at it."
So where is Jacob going next with his sculpting? "I've worked with wood and potter's clay, but modelling clay is what I like best. I'll stick with it for a while yet."