Donkeys
ROLLING DONKEYS
Donkeys in art have been represented throughout history as the ultimate beast of burden, long faced, long suffering, slow and stupid, often stubborn and usually worn down by overloaded overwork. Long faces they do have, but they're actually very playful and highly intelligent animals, they form strong social bonds and are surprisingly articulate, gentle and affectionate. So I've sculpted these Rolling Donkeys in an unusual pose to challenge our common perception and to show a different side, most notably the underside!
"Gills figures are so full of life. They make you smile. Her wealth of experience in the equine world shows through in the donkey sculptures. You expect them to get up and shake after they have rolled." Nicola Crisp Equine Therapist
1) Original LARGE painted polymer clay Rolling Donkey sculptures:
Size approx: 9" long x 5" high
Price: £500 +p&p
2) Original SMALL painted polymer clay Rolling Donkey sculptures:
Size approx: 4" long x 2.5" high
Price: £200 +p&p
3) Cast bronze Rolling Donkey, limited edition, signed, numbered, dated, foundry stamped: Available singley
or as a group.
Size: approx 4" long
POA
JENNY AND FOAL
These two sculptures are made of polymer clay and are available individually or as a pair, as cast bronze limited editions, signed, foundry stamped, dated and numbered.
POA
Sizes:
1) Jenny - 3.5" high x 5.5 long
2) Foal - 1.5" high x 2" long
POA
INTERESTING DONKEY FACTS:
1) Donkeys are not particularly stubborn, that's a myth, a misreading of what is actually intelligent caution. Refusal to move is usually due to their assessment that it's not safe to do so. 'Donkey Time' is a phrase that describes the length of time it can take for a donkey to assess whether or not it's wise to proceed.
2) Donkeys can bray while both inhaling and exhaling - something Yehudi Menuhin, one of the great classical violinists of our time, adapted and taught to his students. It enables them to bray for up to 20 seconds and for that sound to travel as far as 3 kilometres!
3) Donkeys hate to be alone.
4) Donkeys derived from the African wild ass and were domesticated 5000 - 7000 years ago. Being desert animals, their coats are not waterproof, so donkeys who don't live in a desert should have access to shelter.
5) Donkeys are the first choice of equine for small children, given their gentle nature. While Shetland ponies are just as small, their alternative name of Shitland is well deserved, they can be feisty, mean little mites.
6) Donkeys famously love chasing and shaking huge rubber balls, old rubber wellies and squeaky rubber toys. The intensity of the chase and ferocity of the shaking though, suggests to me this is more than play ... they are used on some farms to protect sheep and goats from predators.
7) It was years before I realised the phrase was 'donkey years' not 'donkey's ears', which, in fairness are also quite long! (50 years old has been recorded)
8) Donkeys have extremely long memories enabling them to recall old routes and old friends.
9) Donkey's hooves require monthly trimming and if left, will continue to grow and curl up, causing agonising and lasting tendon damage.
10) 8th May is World Donkey Day.
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(If you ever see a donkey with no shelter, no access to water, with hooves that look too long, shivering alone in the rain, please report it to your local animal welfare authorities)