Nano Bear

2021

Imitation gold leaf on fibreglass sculpture

Part of the Bears of Sheffield fundraising trail for Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Over the summer of 2021, 60 large and 100 smaller bears took to the streets of Sheffield, to raise funds and awareness for the new Cancer and Leukaemia ward of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The bear was influenced by the original sculpture in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens by artist David Mayne, and the trail bears were decorated by artists, illustrators and local schools.

The inspiration for my contribution came from the on-going research into the use of gold nanoparticles in cancer detection and treatment.

I wanted to create an effect that mirrored the repetitive brushmarks of my watercolour paintings, but that shimmered with the contours of the 3D shape of the bear.

Nano Bear went for a fantastic £20,000 at the final auction event, held at the Crucible Theatre, which contributed to the overall fundraising total of £789,000!

To donate or for more information about the trail and the fundraising, click below