42007
April 2025
Charles Gurrey and Haddonstone's mythical mermaid panels surface at Duchy of Cornwall project
Nansledan Mermaid Panel in situ. 42007 1
SculptorCharles Gurreyprovides an insight into how he worked with Haddonstone, for the Duchy of Cornwall's landmark Nansledan project, to create a trio of panels inspired by the South West's seafaring legends.
Charles Gurrey carving letters. 42007 2
With an extensive portfolio of work, including private and public architectural sculptures and statues,Charles Gurreyfirst came to the attention of the then Prince Charles a decade ago due to their shared enthusiasm for classical art and architecture. Now, the Duchy of Cornwall's latest housing development at Nansledan near Newquay has been enhanced by a number of Charles Gurrey's installations, including three mermaid panels.
The York-based sculptor recalls: "I was contacted by Hugh Petter ofADAM Architecture, a leading specialist in classical and traditional architecture, and the architect of the Nansledan development, to ask me to create some sort of figurative piece for what was going to be called the Mermaid Building. This, inevitably, raised the challenge of representing a mythical figure - how do you make a hybrid figure convincing? A key starting point for me was a pew bench-end in the Zennor church in Cornwall - a very old carving which reminds you that Cornwall is surrounded by the sea and that sea creatures and the sea mist have a place in the imagination of the Cornish people.
"Also, part of Hugh's brief was to continue the Art Deco theme of this new building's architecture: so, what I feel we have is an aesthetic as well as physical hybrid with echoes of both the Art Deco and classical periods. Once I felt happy with that intention, I got on with the design process."
Part of that journey involved Charles' empathy as a contemporary sculptor: "What I aim for is to draw inspiration from the work's intended setting, while also in this case, having to respect the scale of the building and the physical considerations for the work, and the need to reproduce it in cast stone."
Charles supplied an initial drawing to the architect, enabling both the Duchy of Cornwall's team andMorrish Homesto understand his intention. The housebuilder then called on the services ofSouth-West Brick and Stone. "On the basis of the responses to the original design," Charles continued, "I made some revisions before producing a half-size maquette in clay, which I then had cast in Jesmonite by the foundry I regularly work with. That casting went to site in Cornwall for approval by ADAM Architecture and Prince Charles, before I produced a full-size version in clay which allowed me to consider the material and revise details or textures where necessary."
Half-scale maquette for architect and royal approval. 42007 3
The final clay sculpture was executed on a large MDF back board into which Charles incised the deep angular wave forms which surround the central figure. This work was then cast again in Jesmonite. It was at this stage that South-West Brick and Stone contactedHaddonstoneand a meeting was arranged at the company's Northampton manufactory, where the sculptor was able to see their mould workshops and get a feel for their three material options, and production processes. Haddonstone recommended the use of a fibreglass and rubber mould, from which all three castings were produced in the company's lightweight, fibre reinforced TecLite material to save weight while reproducing the full form and texture of the original.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Charles added: "I had known about Haddonstone for a long time, but this was the first time I had been directly involved with the company. Their team was very cooperative and amenable - we had a good meeting with them in the factory.
"I would say that the majority of Haddonstone's standard product lines have smooth, clean surfaces to suit the architectural market, whereas my work has a wrought surface which is more characterful. However, Haddonstone can produce virtually anything from a mould and, despite the fact of there being three of them on the building, which tells you they are reproduced castings, I think their texture says they are something more, and I feel it all works in the end."
The final panels were produced in a Portland colour finish, and a large headed fixing was cast into the reverse side of each one, allowing them to be resin anchored into place on site.
Gary Norton of South-West Brick and Stone commented: "We set up the company 20 years ago to be the region's foremost supplier of brick and stone, as well as chimneys and associated GRP components to housebuilders and construction clients and have dealt with Haddonstone as a top manufacturer since the beginning. Charlie Gurrey was very keen that his design would be replicated in all its detail; while also respecting all the practical requirements such as weight, how it would be installed into the brickwork recesses, the slenderness or optimum depth for the castings, and even how they would be backlit. It is on this sort of detail where Haddonstone is very strong."
The Senior Technical Consultant for Morrish Homes, Darren Goodland, added: "The Nansledan project reflects the culture and heritage of Cornwall through its architecture and place naming with eight distinct quarters, each represented by a unique emblem plaque, again designed by Charles Gurrey and modelled upon dune-crest plants commonly found on the North Cornish coast."
As a founding member of the UK Cast Stone Association, Haddonstone offers an extensive range of standard architectural and landscaping products in a selection of natural colours. With an experienced in-house team and first-class facilities, they are also able to offer bespoke solutions to almost any client specification. Many of Haddonstone's designs reflect popular period styles such as Georgian, Greek Revival and Classical. The family run company also produces a wide selection of garden cast stonework including water features, planters and garden furniture.
For further information visitwww.haddonstone.comor call 01604 770 711.
With Compliments:
Taylor Alden