Simon Gudgeon
Duel is a contest between two cock pheasants, a contest for territory and the right to procreate. This type of contest can be witnessed across many different species; the strongest will triumph and sire the next generation, so securing the future of the species. It is also a metaphor for the struggle to hold onto that which is ours or what we perceive to be ours; the need to defend ourselves against aggression; the need to procreate and the perpetual struggles in life where we constantly strive to achieve more.
Over the last few years my work has been moving away from purely illustrative wildlife sculptures towards something that has a deeper subtext and, as it expresses my thoughts and emotions, is more satisfying to create. A work of art is a way of working on very private feelings about behaviour and the way life is.