IRENE GUNSTON
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MOUNT STREET HIPPOCAMP 2006
Hippocamp modelled from photographs of stolen sculpture, in order to restore Mount Street Gardens Fountain.  Modelling sculpture. Taking a mold off the clay model ready for wax cast.  Final bronze cast in situ for opening ceremony by the Duke of Westminster. Modelling and molding carried out  by Irene Gunston on behalf of Rupert Harris Metal Conservation.
Picture
Clay model of hippocamp completed and ready for molding
early stage of clay model with armature still visible
clay work nearing completion
Clay work completed
back legs removed and prepared for molding seperately
Tail removed for molding seperately, after first layer of rubber has been applied
Finished mold of tail and back legs, ready for wax impressions to be taken from them.
Tail and leg molds, closed and labelled
Clay model before legs and tail are removed.
Clay mold with back legs and tail removed and metal shim wall inserted ready to make separate mold sections
First layer of tixo-tropic rubber applied
Rubber layers built up for thickness and ease of sliding off plaster support from castings.
Rubber completed with location keys attached, and clay wall ready for making plaster section.
First stage of plaster section going on
First plaster section complete with wooden support/handle.
Two plaster sections completed
Mold completed and labelled ready for wax impressions.
Mold completed and opened ready for wax-working.
Bronze copy installed
Bronze cast in Situ
Opening reception of Mount Street Gardens restored drinking fountain with Duke of Westminster in attendance
Rupert Harris Metal Conservation
Mount Street Gardens

METAFLUX PLATFORM 2012
A two day conference held at the Royal College of Art to coincide with the Royal Academy BRONZE show. Organised by Irene Gunston (Foundry Manager) and Dr Trish Lyons (Research Tutor). The event comprised of - Lectures, Round Table Discussions, Pop up Exhibition, Private Viewing of RA exhibition and reception at the Founders Guild Hall. The Event was supported by the Royal College of Art Research Department and the Worshipful Company of Founders Livery Company. The participants participants included - Art School Foundries, Commercial Foundries, Conservators,  Artists, Art Historians Curators, and independent cast metal workers.
Metaflux Programme

CHISWICK SPHINX 2007
Molding lead sphinx in situ at Chiswick House by Irene Gunston (on behalf of Rupert harris Metal Conservation). This enabled new casts to replace missing originals, which historically found their way to adorn one of the Green Park Gates.  The Sphinx was cast by John Cheere in the 18th Century and a version is portreyed in the Hogarth print of the Analysis of Beauty, which shows the Sculptors yard at Hyde Park Corner.
Picture
Applying rubber onto the lead casting
modelled replacement of missing part
Lead Sphinx is covered with rubber layer
Sphinx has rubber and plaster support sections built up
Plaster support sections completed ready for mold to be opened
Hogarth print on Sculptors Yard - showing example of John Cheere Sphinx on ground.

PROJECT LUNDY - POLY OLBIAN  (The great Happiness).  2015 0n-going
A project that will take place over several years culminating in a large event in 2019. The source and inspiration for the project is the Poem Poly-Olbian by Michael Drayton and an illustration by William Hole.  The Fourth Song describes the English and the Welsh competing in song to establish their rights  to ownership of Lundy,  this will form the hub of the work. As well as the personal work that will be undertaken by Irene Gunston, there will be Artist gatherings at Lundy,  mapping, poetry, performance and film events. 
Picture
 The Project Lundy website will follow soon 


Studio
Painting Wax in mold
Bronze sculpture in situ in Garden

SCULPTOR . FOUNDER . PROJECT MANAGER

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