Demand for work of Devon sculptor outstrips supply

Newton Abbott sculptor Nicola Axe is cock-a-hoop after selling all her sculptures as well as securing commissions that run into 2022.

She has sold the five sculptures she is exhibiting at Delamore Arts in Cornwood but they can still be seen until June 20.

She is now busy making more sculptures for the following exhibitions:

May 27 to July 11

Showborough House Garden Sculpture Exhibition. Twyning, Gloucester

May 7 to September 30

Form in Nature sculpture exhibition, Borde Hill Gardens, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1XP

June 12 to August 30

Density and Lightness, An exhibition of the South West Sculptors at Exeter Cathedral, Exeter EX1 1HS

September 11 to 26

Devon Open Studio, The School Room, Teigngrace, Devon.

"I’m busy busy," says Nicola, adding that as people spend more time in their gardens during these strange times, they are enhancing their appearance by incorporating such things as sculpture. A beautiful garden lifts the spirits and is excellent for mental health and Nicola's success proves that there is pent up demand for objet d'art.

"I can’t imagine now a life without being able to carve stone," says Nicola. "This ancient natural material inspires and drives me to discover its possibilities. The whole process is challenging and hard work but deeply fulfilling. The large abstract heads I carve are inspired by Modigliani’s ‘Columns of Tenderness’ and the serene, peaceful Buddha heads of antiquity. They are all unique and often have fossils and crystals embedded or gold leaf applied to the stone to embellish and add meaning. Much of my figurative work is informed by my interests in yoga, meditation and the spiritual aspects of life. Nature inspires my large and small shell forms made for either garden display or interiors, and more recently I have enjoyed carving Serpentine in its various colours making sea turtles, fish and manta rays. I also make pieces for private commissions and have sold and exhibited my work throughout the south west and further afield. My regular exhibitions are with Delamore Arts in Ivybridge, Devon Open Studios and The Sculpture Park, Farnham, Surrey."

Nicola is currently secretary of the South West Sculptors Association.