October 11 2003, Saturday, 10.30am-2.30pm
SCULPTOR, NICOLA TOMS' "RECENT SCULPTURES & DRAWINGS" EXHIBITION AT GALLERY IN CORK STREET REFLECTS HER UPBRINGING IN ZIMBABWE - A 'LIFETIME OF WATCHING ANIMALS IN THE WILD,' ENGLAND'S COUNTRYSIDE AND TRAVEL TO SPAIN
Ever since Nicola Toms was born, in the late-sixties, she has been closer to nature (animals especially) than the average Londoner! In her graphic art classes in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, drawing and sculpturing animals - both wild and domestic - must have been a popular choice for her and her peers. So much so, that today, after what she has defined on her website as a, 'lifetime of watching animals in the wild [in Zimbabwe]', she is very well versed in the anatomical structure and movements of most animals of the African wild. And not only over there, but also in mainland Europe! England's countryside seems to have given her inspiration for producing hares, horses, rams, etc. And visiting Spain she found herself - in her own words, .'.. utterly captivated by the beauty of the Spanish fighting bull.'
Two of her bull sculptures, "Toro I"
and "Toro II", show two of Spain's "Bravos" in pre-charge poses. Each
is in a series of nine, as are most of her sculptured masterpieces. The guest we brought
along to the exhibition's recent private view, enjoyed the large horse head sculptures -
placed on one of the gallery's inside walls. Which sculpture or drawing will you like? Go
along, charge down Cork Street and discover more before you hunt for your own lunch. The
exhibition closes at 2.30pm - which is lunchtime for some - and today is Nicola's
exhibition's last day. Admission free. Location: The Gallery in Cork Street, 28 Cork
Street, London, W1. Tube station: Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria
lines).
http://www.nicolatoms.com/
