A POWERFUL and primitive image of a non-industrial agrarian past was evoked at Buckland Abbey last week — in the most industrial of materials.
A sculpture of an ox in steel plate rusting to the colour of a Ruby Red — the breed believed to have been in usage in Buckland's fields — was hauled into place in the abbey's Ox Yard by a pair of heavy horses.
The life-size sculpture, commissioned by the National Trust to add to its collection at the abbey, took Jonathan Rodney-Jones more than 400 hours to construct.
The forms used within the piece are based on an anatomical study — primary muscles and bones — and are silhouetted in metal plate to reflect aesthetically the strong nature of the animal, said Mr Rodney-Jones.
'Ollie' the ox weighs in at three quarters of a tonne, but the father and son team of William and Commodore, huge working horses run by Jonathan Waterer, made light work dragging him into place in front of the old ox sheds.
It is hoped the work, conjuring up an image of the yard in its 18th century usage, will attract visitors and be used in a tactile way.
A spokesman said it was likely Ollie would be well-patted and many visitors will be photographed with him.