Ronald Rae
Concepts My granite sculptures express my love and concern for the human and animal condition. Many of my animal sculptures are of endangered species eg. Wounded Elephant and Tyger Tyger. Fallen Christ, sited on the pilgrimage Island of Iona portrays the need for spirituality in a materialistic world. I have always loved poetry. The emotive sculpture ''O wert thou in the cauld blast'' illustrates one of the last poems of Robert Burns showing love and protection in times of distress. I have also been inspired by early cave paintings as seen in the Bison carved in relief. My largest work Lion of Scotland exudes the power of Scottish identity. Heavy Horse and Foal and Elephant Family show the care animals have for their offspring. St. Francis in NTS Threave Gardens, with the birds he preached to and Brother Wolf share my belief in the saint's philosophy of birds and animals being just as important as humans in God's creation. My latest works Baby Elephant and Gorilla Family remind us to protect all living creatures on this plane. My graphic work, in particular my political cartoons, are blunt and honest statements about the sad state of the world today. Influences Spirituality/Religion, Environment/Ecology, Emotions; own cultural identity (Scottish); own gender (Male). Career path As I do not wait for commissions I have a continous body of work available for public display. I first exhibited five sculptures at Rozelle Park in Ayr 1979 followed by a temporary exhibition in 1989 outside St. John's Church in Princes Street, Edinburgh. My first major exhibition of 20 sculptures in Sheffield in 1994 moved on to Milton Keynes in 1995 then to the Natural History Museum and Regent's Park in London from 1999 till 2002. I found permanent homes for several of the sculptures due to these exhibitions. The exhibition then moved from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park where 16 of the animal sculptures were displayed for four years followed by the stunning venue of Holyrood Park in Edinburgh in 2006 of 21 sculptures including sixteen animal sculptures and five figurative works on biblical and war themes. The Holyrood Exhibition moved on to The Falkirk Wheel in Central Scotland in April 2008 where 8 sculptures are currently on display. Due to public demand and a petition by the Blue Badge Guides the 20 tonne Lion of Scotland remained at Holyrood on loan to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body till 2010. The Lion is now on loan to Essential Edinburgh and exhibited in St Andrew Square Gardens in Edinburgh. In 2013 I carved a four tonne Baby Elephant. In 2014 I carved a Gorilla Family another endangered species. At present I am working on a series of drawings and political cartoons on newspapers. I have also made thousands of drawings, paintings and illustrations on over 40 books including Family Bibles. Every day I write and play my piano.
