AN animal sculptor from Whitstone will be launching her new collection at The Castle Bude, with a percentage of the proceeds going to relevant animal charities.

The exhibition is entitled ‘Vulnerable’ and will look at each animal’s plight.

Angelique Medland told the Post: “While creating the exhibition I developed a huge empathy for each animal’s cause and made the recent decision to donate 15% of all sales to the most relevant animal charity, along with changing the exhibition to include information on the plight for their survival in the hope it will provoke awareness of just how close to extinction some are.”

Angelique started her love of ceramics from an early age, going on to study at Falmouth and Plymouth Colleges of Art as a multi disciplinary artist in ceramics, illustration, glass blowing and large scale metals. She has now been a ceramicist and large scale sculptor for over 20 years.

In this time Angelique has exhibited in a wide range of exhibitions and galleries, and gardens such as RHS Rosemoor, along with commissions. Over recent years developing her collections around bringing out the hidden character of the animals and birds she sculpts, in the hope that it will bring realisation to the viewer of the equality between them and other living creatures on this planet.

After finding a love of teaching over 15 years ago while working at a local secondary school she has never looked back since. Realising her dream in February 2016 of bringing ceramics to everyone, she opened ‘Potterybox’ her studio near Bude, where she teaches ceramics and metal work alongside her husband to everyone, including Special Educational Needs schools and groups.

Explaining why she chose the theme for her latest collection, Angelique said: “I have always been a strong supporter of conservation from protests in my youth, to membership to several wildlife charities in recent years, also devoting large areas of our ground at Pottery Box and our campsite to natural areas, making our own home a haven for all living things.”

Angelique spends a lot of time researching each animal she is creating and this has lead her to discover just how endangered some of these creatures are and empathise with their plight.

She said: “ Before I even start the process of sculpting, I like to research in great length the animal I am creating, habits, habitat and video clips on how they move and their character, if I am unable to study them in real life.

“As the research went on I became more aware of each animals plight. When sculpting I really try to get into the head of the character I am portraying. As time went on I developed a deep empathy for each one and the real tragedy of just how horrendous the devastation of the world’s wildlife is at this point.

“I also feel with all of the disruption to the human population of the planet over the last few years with the virus, that it has taken a real back step in people’s minds. So I made the recent decision to change my whole collection to bring awarenesses to the people that see my work of each animal’s plight. Along with donating 15% to what I feel is the most relevant charity for them. I will continue to do so with future creations.”

The exhibition will run until March 3.