Goshawk by Alan Glasby
Alan Glasby
I was fortunate to meet Alan Glasby back in December 2000 when he was exhibiting at the SECC in Glasgow. There were a number of good artists there, but Alan's carvings of gamebirds, owls and hawks were a breath of fresh air. I had long been an admirer of carved birds, having obtained a copy of Bob Ridge's "The Decoy Duck", probably back in the eighties. Bob was a carver based in Somerset I believe, and ran carving courses; I would heartily recommend his book if you can track a copy down.
The upshot of seeing Alan's work was that I came home with a loon carved in pine - a Christmas present!
Both Bob Ridges and Alan Glasby appear to have got involved in Carving decoys in similar ways - "having a go" whilst inspired by friends or visiting the United States.
Mr Glasby was born in Derbyshire and educated at Chesterfield Grammar School for Boys. On leaving school he began a career as an explosives engineer that spanned 35 years. In 1974 he was awarded the George Medal for bomb disposal duties, and in 1991 he received the O.B.E for his work in the post Gulf War ammunition recovery operation.
Alan is a keen competitive sportsman, with a great interest in target rifle shooting; He has won two National Championships, a World Championship team Gold medal and Her Majesty the Queen's Medal for champion shot in the British Army.
Only starting to carve and taking up sculpture in 1988 despite a fascination with wildlife and art from a very early age, and with only informal sculptural, artistic and training, his carving style and methods are truly his own.
His current work pieces are all birds and he believes that each piece should display its own unique presence and character. He has produced a large range of bronzes, and his wood pieces range from polished natural wood in antique or contemporary styles, to carvings that are as realistic as possible.
Alan's work is widely collected throughout the country and abroad. These include a life size Goshawk in bronze that was presented to the Oman School of Aircraft Control by HRH Prince Andrew, and a half size Golden Eagle in bronze commissioned by the Royal Auxiliary Air Force for presentation to The Queen to mark 50 years as Air Commodore-in-Chief.
He has also sculpted a bronze snipe for annual presentation by the RSPB as an award for the conservation of wetlands.
Goshawks were known as 'the cooks hawk' because they would catch anything that flew or ran, daring to tangle with fur at full stretch as well as cock pheasant or bigger birds. There have been documented examples of Goshawks taking birds up to and including Geese.
In falconry circles they are now the preserve of the truly dedicated falconer, (or austringer using the correct term for someone who flies hawks rather than falcons).
The readily bred and much more available Harris' hawk have overtaken them in the popularity stakes - much calmer and more co-operative!
Alan Glasby has done a truly remarkable job on this piece - well worth looking at in detail.
In falconry circles they are now the preserve of the truly dedicated falconer, (or austringer using the correct term for someone who flies hawks rather than falcons).
The readily bred and much more available Harris' hawk have overtaken them in the popularity stakes - much calmer and more co-operative!
Alan Glasby has done a truly remarkable job on this piece - well worth looking at in detail.
