Press Release...

 Surf Warrior to reign over the waves

      The evocative image of a surfer gazing out to sea and waiting for the ultimate wave has been captured by a Cornish artist. Sculptor Richard Austin has created a 15 foot tall masterpiece, The Warrior of the Surf, designed to stand majestically at the water's edge on one of Cornwall’s stunning beaches.

      Richard, whose studio the Sculpture Workshop is based in Wadebridge, has already created a number of high-profile installations in the county, including the Captain on the King Harry Ferry and a huge aluminum salmon on Wenford Bridge on the Camel Trail. But this latest project represents a much more personal journey for Richard.

      Richard has said: "For so many years, I have been earning a good living from producing commissions for other people but I really felt it was time to create a piece of work for me. So I took a year out and created my signature piece."

      Richard was inspired whilst watching Cornwall’s experienced surfers read the sea, waiting for the signs to tell them a big wave is building. "I remember when I used to surf, I would watch these guys standing on the shore, one hand holding the board, the other shielding their eyes from the sun, just waiting for the perfect wave. This is the look I wanted to recreate, in a sculpture that captured the quiet, serene, confidence, relaxed yet ready to spring into action."

      The Warrior of the Surf has been built using a strong yet light-weight material usually used in the construction of luxury yachts. It is made up of 25mm honeycombed panels which are usually used flat, but the strength of the material made it possible to create such a large sculpture. The sculpture is also inspired by Cornwall’s engineering and mining past, the warrior's powerful legs are based on the image of the massive beam engines which pumped water from tin mines during the early 1900s.

      The installation was 12 months in the making, and Richard has already had enquiries from as far as USA and Australia, but he admits: "There are some great surfing beaches here in Cornwall, so I really hope it stays in the county," he then added, "Cornwall Arts Marketing (CAM) has been particularly helpful in assisting with the marketing of this sculpture. I have relished the challenge and the opportunity to experiment."

      Richard regularly works in schools, community groups and youth centers, where he delivers creative workshops. Under the banner Creative Ambitions, he works to help people gain a sense of achievement through the arts. Money from the sale of the Warrior of the Surf will be used to further this project. He added: "I believe we are all creative, though some of us haven't had the chance to experience it. All I do is enable people to be creative in a non-judgmental way. There are no wrong answers so everyone can achieve."