Sculpture of a common pipistrelle bat made from recycled materials, by Michelle Reader. The materials used are offcuts and discarded materials from the studios of artists and craftspeople on the Welbeck Estate where Michelle is based. Mouth/nose is a 3-pin DMX connector from a light fitting, the fur is a scrap of knitted textile. The wings are tin cake moulds cut and brazed together. The wooden body is part of a stair rail and the feet are feet from sewing machines. The copper ears are offcuts from jewellery-making, and the wings also feature piano wire and the sleeve of an electrical cable.
Earlier in 2024 as part of an exhibition showcasing the residents of the #harleyfoundationstudios, I created some small sculptures of the wild creatures we share our workplace with, made from scraps and offcuts from all the studios. This one is a common pipistrelle bat.
#batsculpture #wildlifeart