Granite: 6x7x4ft 3.00 tons. Location: Private collection, Peak District. Sold.
Carved in Dalbeattie granite, which is geologically a very interesting stone because of its varied colours, this work was inspired by cave art at Lascaux in France. The head is carved in deep relief whilst the body is etched on to the stone leaving much of the natural stone uncarved, allowing the stone to speak. Sited in a field with the cattle around it, is a perfect setting for this rugged work.
Granite: 5x5x5ft 5.00 tons. Location: Dormston Art Centre, Sedgley. Sold.
This imposing sculpture carved from a rough granite boulder depicts two endangered species, one metamorphosing into the other. This pic shows the side with the elephant.
Sited at the entrance to the Dormston Art Centre, Rae took it as a compliment when he discovered that the lounge bar in the Centre is named after his sculpture – The Elephant and Rhino.
Granite: 5x10x5ft 10.00 tons. Location: Isle of Eriska, Argyll. Sold.
Carved expressively this powerful sculpture is the very essence a highland cow, bulky and brooding with huge horns and rhythmic hair covering its eyes.
Rae has taken the stereotypical image of the highland cow seen so often in art, and revitalised it in granite. The sculpture is sited on the Isle of Eriska and has two permanent friends – namely the resident donkeys that enjoy rubbing against the granite!
To see a short video about this sculpture go to Latest News on Video at the right hand column of this page and click on Ronald Rae with his sculptures on the Isle of Eriska.
Granite: 6x9x3ft 5.00 tonnes. Location: Shropshire. Sold to The Jerwood Foundation.
Not only a study of old age, this sculpture expresses the grief and the loneliness of widowhood.
It was carved with hand tools over a period of 9 months. The 5 tonne boulder of Creetown granite has been isotopically dated at 391 million years old.
Purchased from the Regent’s Park Exhibition by the Jerwood Foundation.
Granite: 5x8x7ft 7.00 tons. Location: Island of Iona. Gifted.
Carved in pink and grey Kemnay granite this powerful work portrays the Fallen Christ on the road to Calvary with the burden of the world on his back. His arm becomes the vertical part of the cross with the heavy beam on which are carved the letters I.N.R.I. – Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
This sculpture is appropriately sited outside the MacLeod Centre on Iona, the island of pilgrimage on the west coast of Scotland where St. Columba landed from Ireland in AD563.
The sculpture is dedicated to the memory of Jim Hughes who was an active member of the Iona Community and friend of the sculptor. Margaret, Jim’s wife who features in the video below sadly died last year her ashes being scattered round the sculpture as Jim’s had been too.
To see a short video about this sculpture go to Latest News on Video at the right hand column of this page and click on Ronald Rae visits his Fallen Christ sculpture on Iona.
The Fallen Christ has inspired many poems – Child’s Play by one of Mull’s leading poets Jan Sutch Pickard beautifully describes a day in the life of the sculpture.
Child’s Play
Sun burnishes the granite,
a blessing on the stone
making it warm as human skin
but still as hard as bone.
Sculpture of the Fallen Christ
like an erratic boulder:
a child at play has clambered up
to perch upon his shoulder
She rides upon the solid rock
joyfully, safely there:
rough stone supports her hands and feet,
the wind plays with her hair.
I see a place of refuge
for a troubled little girl:
God’s back being broad enough to bear
the weight of all the world.
Jan Sutch Pickard – Wild Goose Publications
Granite: 5x7x6ft 6.00 tons. Location: Private Collection. Macclesfield. Sold.
Bear also features in writer and poet Jenny Melmoth’s latest book called Of Dogs and Cats and Bear.
To find out about this fascinating memoir by someone who loves animals visit www.jenny-melmoth.com
Carved in Kemnay granite, over 470 million years old, this animated brown bear which once roamed the United Kingdom until the 10th century sniffs the air. Rae’s concern for endangered species often features in his animal sculptures.
Granite: 6x13x5ft 11.00 tons Location: Millbrook, USA. Sold
Carved in Kemnay granite this sculpture was inspired by the cave art at Lascaux in France where the images of animals were carved on to the natural rock surfaces.
Rae’s sculpture represents an elephant family – on one side the tusked patriarch with the baby elephant, on the other side the gentle matriarch.
The sculpture was purchased from the Regent’s Park Exhibtion, carefully packed in a container and shipped out to the USA.
Granite: 8x22x3ft 15.00 tonnes. Location: Somerset. Sold.
Carved in Corrennie pink granite which is 460 million years old, this monumental relief draws attention to the tiger as an endangered species – less than 3,000 tigers left in the world now!
The sculpture also celebrates William Blake’s well known poem.
Tyger, Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
The stone for this sculpture was an amazing find in the quarry. At 22 feet long it was the largest stone to date that Rae had tackled. When the tiger emerged out of the stone he decided it was well worth the effort.
The BBC filmed the Tyger Tyger being moved to Somerset as part of their series called The Crane Gang. It was broadcast on BBC2 on 29th September 2013 at 8pm and can be viewed on YouTube.
Granite: 2x3x1ft 0.25 ton. Location: Cramond Kirk Hall, Edinburgh. Gifted.
Ronald Rae has had the support of Cramond Kirk since 1989, providing him with an area to work in their grounds. Rae was delighted when he was asked to carve a sculpture to celebrate the new Millennium Kirk Hall.
“The ancient Christian symbol of the fish, Ronald Rae’s generous gift to the hall, provides an ideal focal point for the gathering area.” – the Rev Dr Russell Barr.
Granite 3x4x3ft 0.50 tons. Location: Private Collection – Leeds. Sold.
This symbolic sculpture emphasises the plight of the elephant and the fragility of the environment.