‘Polar Dance’ Bronze Sculpture by Tessa Campbell-Fraser

17th May 2017

Have you met The Pantiles’ new cool resident? We are excited to announce that the ‘Polar Dance’ statue, a bronze sculpture by Tessa Campbell-Fraser – sculptor to Queen Elizabeth, has taken up residence here at The Pantiles!

Before coming to us, the statue had been on display outside the Natural History Museum, creating a vast amount of attention. The over 300-kilo bronze sculpture was created to symbolise the relationship between nature and mankind, with Tessa Campbell-Fraser wanting to highlight the important battle we face against global warming, and how we must embrace and protect nature.

Polar Dance
Polar Dance
Polar Dance
Polar Dance

Tessa Campbell-Fraser’s explains her reasoning behind the statue: “If we don’t get this balance right, they could become extinct. I think because I’d had Lila, I was more aware of global warming – having a child makes you think about the planet and how we’re going to leave it. The polar bear was the obvious symbol and I wanted to express its relationship with man, how the relationship is harmonious.”

Polar Dance Tessa Campbell-Fraser

About Tessa Campbell-Fraser

Lives: Near Faringdon. Tessa lives with her husband, impressionist Rory Bremner, and their two daughters.

Early Life: Born in Edinburgh. Tessa spent her childhood in the Scottish Borders.

Education: Studied Interior Design at the Chelsea School of Art, London.

Career: Tessa became one of the country’s leading equestrian and landscape artists in the 80s and 90s, earning many reputable commissions including painting horses and corgis for Her Majesty the Queen. From 1996, her interest in animals and anatomy led her to focus on sculpting.

To see more of Tessa’s work, visit her website.

We would like to say a huge thanks to Susan Buemée from Beumée Contemporary Fine Art who organised this fantastic long term loan. If you take a picture of our new friend, or a selfie, please make sure you tag us on Facebook or Twitter!