Life-Size Horseshoe Sculptures

Life-Size Horseshoe Sculptures AG WORLD English sculptor Thomas Hill has elevated horseshoe art to a whole new level of sophistication with his life-size sculptures     His first horse creation the size of a Shetland pony was done in 2005 Since then he has created a 10-ft tall rearing stallion a winged Pegasus and two different racing horses including one with a life-size rider All of them were made exclusively from horseshoes     Hill has also produced pigs dogs fox hedgehogs squirrels and a muntjac And large animals like an elk elephant bactrian camel lioness and a cheetah     Hill creates his sculptures from new and recycled horseshoes He gets them from farriers farmers and local horse owners Each shoe is carefully cleaned straightened and molded to its desired shape for the artistic creation The shoes are welded together and then the object is dipped and polished to create a smooth sheen Some sculptures are painted or powder-coated     Each subject is carefully crafted to a life-like size and shape including legs neck head and eyes     Because each of Hill’s sculptures are individually created no two are exactly alike Hill uses a gas forge an anvil and a hammer as well as various welding techniques to heat and shape the horseshoes that create his sculptures     In May 2006 some of Hill’s creations were exhibited at the Living Crafts Display at Hatfield House a 400-year-old mansion located in Hertfordshire It’s listed as one of the 10 most famous palaces homes and castles in England From that exhibition Hill received orders for several of his sculptures They were also featured on the BBC     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Tom Hill Tewin Hill Farm Tewin Hertfordshire England AL6 0LL ph 01438 717336; www tomhillsculpture co uk

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