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Scrapmetal horse and jockey

29K views 113 replies 45 participants last post by  scrapartoz 
#1 ·
Hi all,
New to the forum. I have attached a photo of a scrapmetal horse and jockey sculpture that I made for a small outback (Australia) community to celebrate the passing of 100 years of race meetings in that town. I hope you like. I will post more images including the construction process if anyone is interested. I am happy to exlpain how to 'make your own'
Thank you Andrew Whitehead
 
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#38 ·
All the 'scales' on the dragon are old agricultural soil tillage tips. the neck ones are off a 'seeder' the others off a 'scarifier' She is called "RAIN DRAGON" and took 6 months to build and about a year to locate the parts. I only do this part time. Glad you like. Andrew
 
#40 ·
Wow. Wonderful work. I'm jealous, I'd love to photograph and edit photos of such work.
 
#41 ·
This is amazing. I've seen scrapmetal art here in my area (I live in a rural lil' tourist town) but this is on a whole other level. I can't believe the detail! I may have missed the post saying how long it takes you-but I'd never have the patience. I get frustrated with myself when I don't spend extra time on my drawings that I'll do in a few hours...but I like to see the finished product as soon as possible.
Again-amazing.
p.s. I don't think they mind too much with the 'non-horse' art. At least I hope not...I have my fair share of it on here too!
 
#44 ·
reply to good folk

thanks all,
SHMURMER4 -i am hoping to leave my job as a council roadworker one day so I will need to use a proffessional photographer (or improve my own work) I am trying to learn a bit more about edit and capture but it seems a long road.
MiDWEST - I normally produce 2 works a year in my free time. (sometimes I am really glad to finish so i can have a bit more time with family.)
DOCS DANi - yes im trying to help the planet ( and clean up the family farms)
3 NEIGHS- I normally find one piece ( for the Dragon.. it was the teeth ) this gives me both an idea :(crocodile ' gator /dinosour / dragon??? ) and also the scale. I then draw hundreds of sketches till im happy with an attitude and shape .once the scale is known then the search is easier. for eg; I am looking for a dragon foot this....big. The spider is an early work I have only been doing this for 5 years.The spider weighs 220 pound and is 8 metres (30+ foot?) up the town water tower
Andrew
 
#45 ·
spider

hi all, here is an earlier shot of the spider with one of our 'papillon' pups (thats french for butterfly because from the front the face looks like one with giant oversize ears and cheek hair to finish the butterfly looking face (it does have a tail its just turned upwards.) The abdomen of the spider was made from an old wood fired "copper" water tub . My mother used to wash the family clothes in this before we got electricity. ( a long, long, long time ago)
 
#48 ·
sculpture story

quite often an artist must submit a story or artist statement with their work when entering an art show. this is what I wrote for my Dragon in a 2009 Competition. The emotions are real and a little sad. It was in memory of my Great Grandmother who ruled a large ranch ( part of which I still live on today) with an iron fist after my Great grandfather passed on.
AUSTRALIAN RAIN DRAGON
(Lizardus Precipitii Australis c.65 million BC )
These objects, once thought to be agricultural scrap metal ,were discovered deep in the earth during recent coal mining operations in the Urana / Oaklands Area. . Carbon dating of core samples has revealed that these are the complete fossilised remains of an extremely rare 65 million year old ‘Australian Rain Dragon’ that has since been identified and restored by local artist Andrew Whitehead using secret pre-historic cave paintings found on his family farm as a guide. These ancient paintings depict images of the rain dragon and its significance to the land.
Death of a Queen
Like a dog waiting for its master to throw a ball ,‘Rain Dragon’ stares with unblinking eyes at a distant horizon, searching for signs of rain and the nourishment it provides. Her optimism is undiminished as she waits, and defends her land against those who would have it. Decades of drought have passed . She suffers greatly. Without rain, her limbs have withered, and her flexibility is reduced. She now has difficulty putting her plans into action. Her collar reminds her that she should protect the land until she can entrust it to the next generation. In the manner of a bird under a garden sprinkler, on a hot Summer’s day, she ‘ruffles’ her armoured plumage in order to enjoy scant, soothing moisture from a welfare wind. In doing so, she makes herself vulnerable. Her wings once displayed the hopes and dreams of all those who work with the land. Now they make her naked. Bones and sinew remain , but the beautiful liquid crystal fabric connecting them has long since dried out, cracked and blown away in the hot, dry winds. ( like so much of the valuable farm topsoil, lost to relentless drought.) She chose to remain with her land. (for too long?) Now flight is no longer an option. She radiates defiance, along with balance and poise during very difficult times. Saint George will use neither courage nor righteous purpose to dispatch this beautiful creature. She prays that she can respond effectively when required to do so. Inside her armoured belly, she carries an egg that is the last of her kind. Its future will be decided not by labour nor skill but rather, the number of raindrops that fall. She waits, (like the rest of us) for rain that will renew her body and heal the land. Only then, will our hopes and dreams fly once again. Every farmer is a King or Queen, and every acre is their treasured realm or a millstone to loathe.
In Memory of Rose Anne Whitehead, “Butherwah” Station URANA
1871-1962 Matriarch, Philanthropist and Royal Dragon.
 
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