William Newton

Having ridden from an early age, worked with a racehorse trainer and rode winners himself maybe the subject of sculptor William Newton's work was written in the stars. However the inspiration to sculpt came much earlier on.

"One afternoon in 1972, the sculptor John Robinson, came to my school (Hazlegrove in Somerset) to help a small group of us make clay figures. I was twelve years old. The effect of John’s teaching was, for me, truly inspirational. It was as if a light had been switched on. I felt totally at ease and complete in what I was doing and, from that moment on, I knew that one day I would be a sculptor."

Seeing his time as a jockey as a 'sort of apprenticeship' for what he does now, once in the sculpting studio the works that followed — including commissions from Derby winner Steven Cauthen on Reference Point, and Grand National winner Steve Knight on Maori Venture — sealed his future.

Predominantly a portrait sculptor (humans and animals) he sees his role as to "record and celebrate the living form in the best way I can". When working three dimensionally it is important to get up close with the subject, to see the movement, the gravity, to study with intensity.

"With my subject fixed in my mind, I start to think (if I haven’t decided already), how best to portray my observations. In the case of a horse, it may be standing, walking, jumping or whatever pace or stance I feel is most appropriate."

Armature (the bones or skeleton of the sculpture) is made first and clay added - often working from life to ensure correct proportions. There is no specific time taken to create a study from scratch but having access to the subject certainly builds up a rapport that gives the finished work an 'edge' over something that was only make from an initial sketch.

William has been casting his work with us at Talos Foundry using the 'Cire Perdue' (lost wax) method for many years now. So much so that he has become more and more involved with the process and a well loved visitor to the Foundry.

Restoration: The Jockey Club have a great collection of bronzes including Foundry owner Richard's favourite of Jockey and author 'Dick Francis'. This life-size statue by William Newton as cast by Talos in 2021 and resides at Aintree where Richard is a regular visitor ahead of the Grand National weekend to give it a refresh.

For more about William Newton visit his website here https://www.williamnewtonsculptor.com/