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rkr4cds Dec 20, 2010

One Crocheted Lion of Trio Completed

Artist Shauna Richardson has completed one lion of her trio of huge
crocheted lions slated for unveiling at the opening of the 2012
Olympics in Great Britain. Richardson's project, called The Lionheart
Installation, was one of 12 chosen from over 2,000 entries.
Independent panels of artists and producers selected the 12 projects
to receive commissions, one for each of the nine English regions and
the nations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All 12 commissions will take part in the opening of the 2012 Olympic
Games and Paralympic Games

http://www.shoppingblog.com/blog/1015103

There is a very short 1-minute video, (it may take a bit of time to
load) at the end of which shows a sketch proposing the layout of the 3
lions; this one shown will be displayed on the far right.

I wonder how long this one took to create, as she finished this in
August and has less than 2 years to finish the other 2??

The too-brief flashes of close-up-viewing of her st direction for
shaping are fascinating: I'd love to see her work in person!
I'd also like to know what's supporting the work (inside.)

- - - -
A friend emailed this to me (Thx, T!)

The lion structures are sculpted out of polystyrene and set around steel
skeletons. Using her one colour-one stitch freestyle technique, Shauna will
then crochet the three skins tracing muscular contours as she goes.

It is estimated that this process will take her around two years to
complete. Through the sensational use of a traditional skill, Shauna wishes
to highlight crochet as a valid contemporary medium, hoping to educate and
inspire a new generation of practitioners.

- - - -

I've always felt that we must continue to teach the young ones to hold the knitting needles, crochet hooks and tatting shuttles, right along with their electronic gadgets, if these skills are to continue!

1 user likes this: Dreli-Bears

Little Bear Guy Dec 20, 2010

Pretty impressive work I must say. I'm assuming she's not using normal crochet thread to make these :crackup: . I would love to see the size of the crochet hook she is using, the stitches are a pretty good size. Interesting the choice of stitching she is doing, it's adds so much to design work of the lions. I would dare to say that there is likely some structures inside the sculptures to give them some stability or some form of framework to support the work.

Good luck to her, her work is amazing.

rowarrior Dec 20, 2010

Oh wow, there is some amount of work in those!  Amazing piece of work, thanks for sharing

Dreli-Bears Dec 20, 2010

OMG - I love to crochet - but never in my life saw such an amazing thing - what a masterpiece!!!!!!

desertmountainbear Dec 20, 2010

Incredible!!! 

I agree about teaching the young ones.  This is a dying art.  That is why we do after school crochet club at the school where I work. 

Joanne

rkr4cds Dec 20, 2010

It looks like all Single Crochet Sts to me - from the few small glimpses they show - that's the strongest structural st, aside from Slip St.
Joanne, you never cease to amaze me; thank goodness you and your big heart are placed exactly where you are - on the side of the city which needs you the most!

puca bears Mar 23, 2011

AWESOME................ Thanks for sharing, Bobbie