Honouring Hugo
Remembering Hugo as Carmarthen Students Create a Lasting Memorial
Our majestic male lion Hugo, who passed away earlier this year, is being honoured by having a memorial built in his memory. And who better to commission with this special project than local art students from Carmarthen School of Art at Coleg Sir Gar?
We approached Coleg Sir Gar in the Summer regarding our plans to create a fitting tribute to one of our most loved animals on the zoo, and met with Lee Odishow (‘Dish’), Fine Art Tutor and Technician, and Lisa Phillips, Programme Director of Fine Art Practice at the college – to discuss our plans.
Hugo resided in our Pride of Pembrokeshire exhibit alongside mate Luna, and their four daughters – Ebele, Alika, Sola and Zahra – who are still with us. Hugo was a gentle character who was the most handsome of lions. He was hugely popular amongst the zoo team who cared for him as well as our staff and guests – and was certainly an ambassador for his species, allowing us to educate our visitors on the plight of African lions in the wild and the threats they face. He will always be a huge part of our story so we wanted a fitting tribute in his memory.
Eight second-year fine art students were briefed on the commission, set by us, at the beginning September – and have been working alongside Lee (Dish) on producing some amazing pieces ever since.
“We weren’t short of images of our beloved Hugo – and so provided the art students with a variety of photos from all angles of his profile,
Dan, ZOO keeper
as well as video footage so the students could see how he moved. We even provided true measurements of Hugo himself, footprints, the lot.
We did everything we could, to assist the students with getting a true likeness of Hugo!”
The attention to detail in the construction of all of the models has been hugely impressive and it was a really hard decision but our team were tasked with selecting a final winner, who will continue the project onto completion next year. The final sculpture will be cast in bronze and unveiled for all of our guests to enjoy, and to remember our very special resident.
“Lee and Lisa invited us to the college at around the eight week mark of the project, to see progress and chat to the students involved.
Emma, PR Officer and ex-art student at coleg sir gar
The sheer majesty of Hugo was evident in all of the sculptures we saw – and we were blown away by the talent of the art students.
It’s a shame we’re only able to choose one winner!”
At around week 11, our PR Officer Emma, and zookeeper Dan – revisited the college and were invited to select a final winner. After another chat to the students and look at all of the wonderful sculptures – the team had a very tough decision to make! Over a debrief, a coffee and lots of discussion – they decided that art student Katie Morrissey, was their overall winner.
This is the first time Katie, who hails from the Rhondda Cynon Taf area, has worked with clay to this scale, and the Folly team were super impressed with how well she captured the softness and beauty of Hugo.
Katie, alongside Dish, will now continue with this project and see it through to completion – all within the hugely impressive facilities available to them at the Carmarthen college. The department even has the facility to create their own moulds and cast bronze in their very own thriving bronze foundry. Apparently they’re one of the only colleges within the UK which provides all of these facilities in order to produce everything in-house!
“The ability to work on a live project with a client such as Folly Farm has been an exciting, and fantastic opportunity..
Lee ‘Dish’ Odishow, Fine art tutor & technician
I’m so proud of all of my second year students who took on the project with care, attention, enthusiasm and commitment.
I’m so proud of Katie for producing such a beautifully strong, but at the same time, gentle, portrait of Hugo.”
Dish continued;
“This live project fell serendipitously within our schedule and coincided with the 2nd year Studio Skills brief. During this module we typically cover varied techniques used within art, and Hugo’s portrait was a fantastic opportunity
‘Dish’, Fine art tutor & technician
to work on so many aspects including: approaching a commission, client relations, mapping, working to scale, proportion, armature building, clay application and modelling, and working to a set brief.
I’m so proud that one of my students will be able to have a beautiful piece of work displayed within the prominent setting of Folly Farm and within my old stomping ground of Pembrokeshire”
Katie will be receiving a special prize and we look forward to welcoming her and her peers to the park next year – to attend the grand unveiling. Katie will also be receiving the chance to visit the rest of our pride, Hugo’s family, and enjoy a feeding experience and time with our keepers.
We’ll keep everyone updated with progress on this project and when you’ll be able to see our Hugo memorial in place.
A huge thank you goes to Carmarthen School of Art and the students and lecturers involved – for their support, hard work, and for the care and detail they’ve put in to what is such an important project for us. You’re all amazing!
