Doncaster sculptor says lock down is giving people more time to appreciate art

Originally from West Lancashire, Courtney Helsby moved to Doncaster in September 2019 to live with her fiance.

The 22-year-old sculptor was furloughed at the start of the lockdown as she worked in a men’s fashion shop in the Frenchgate centre.

“The time I’ve had means that I have been able to revisit and evolve projects that I had to put on the back burner because of work,” Courtney said.

“When I moved to Doncaster I was really excited to get involved with the art scene and culture here - I took part in the art fair and was about to join the New Fringe before the lockdown.”

Courtney specialises in small sculptures of animals made from clay then painted.

She said: “My love of sculpting started at university.

“I was really interested in the notion of life and death and how humans exploit and experiment on animals such as rabbits, sheep, and rodents.

“I’ve made life-sized sculptures but I’m currently limited to what I can make at the kitchen table or in bed as I no longer have access to a studio.”

Courtney says that she has been busy throughout lockdown with more commissions of her art than normal being made.

She said: “People are more engaged in the arts at the moment.

“Theatres have been putting plays online and I think people are generally more interested because they have had to step back from their busy lives.

“Because I was furloughed the extra support really helps me and knowing that people want to support me gives me a new lease of life.”

It takes Courtney around three days to make one of her sculptures which includes the drying and painting processes.

Courtney is looking for commissions at the moment and can be contacted through her Instagram here.

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