A Red Kite Sculpture takes its place in the Hermitage Garden, Whickham

A Red Kite Sculpture takes its place in the Hermitage Garden, Whickham

A new sculpture of a red kite has been installed at the Hermitage Community Garden, Whickham. Local sculptor Denise Johnson is part of a small group of artists who have spent the last year making a variety of work for this popular venue.  Here, Denise is presenting her sculpture to Dave Peacock.

The sculpture is mounted on specially constructed concrete plinth made to look like a tree stump, and its sited beyond the lake in the west corner of the garden. Slightly larger than life size so that it can be seen easily from a distance, the bird is made from metal and hessian covered with a special waterproof substance.

"We have regular visits from children of all ages", said Sharon Peacock of the Hermitage Garden. "A number of their schools have adopted real red kites so it seemed a good idea to have a sculpture they could immediately recognise and relate to." 

 "Its the first time I've tried to make a more realistic bird", said Denise.    "Since 2010 I have had two stylised wire heron sculptures at Alnwick Gardens Woodland Walk, but making something more figurative was much more of a challenge." Fortunately Denise has had help from Judy Summerson of the Friends of Red Kites, who advised on colour and proportion.

The Hermitage Community Garden in Whickham is much visited and regarded with affection by local people and visitors of all ages. It is open to the public every day between 10.00 am and 4.00 p.m.