ESG Committee visits sculpture artist for Julia’s House Great Tail Trail

The visit provided a fascinating insight into the inspiration and meaning behind the sculpture’s design, the creative process, and how the artist became involved in this impactful initiative.

The Great Tail Trail is a collaborative project between Julia’s House and Wild in Art, aiming to raise awareness of the vital care Julia’s House provide in the local community. Drawing inspiration from the charity’s Mermaid Suite at the hospice, a space where they support children at the end of their lives and their families, the trail seeks to encourage exploration, engage the community, and increase footfall, while highlighting the important work Julia’s House does.

Laurie is an artist with many years of experience specialising in illustration and graphic design. In addition to sketching, printmaking and painting, Laurie enjoys working on bespoke creative projects, aligning perfectly with the Great Tail Trail. Becky Hobell, Trainee Solicitor in our Family team, was eager to learn how Laurie got involved in the initiative Laurie said: “I’d previously had the opportunity to take part in the Surrey Hills’ Cow Parade – Public Art Exhibition, which was a fantastic experience and further developed my interest in creating public art.

“This eventually led to my involvement in the Great Tail Trial, where I hope my artwork will resonate and inspire the local community, celebrating the unique charm of Dorset and its incredible landscape.”

Laurie also shared the inspiration behind the design of the Mermaid Tail sculpture. Appropriately named ‘Dorset Hills’, the design emphasises our good fortune to be based in the south coast of England, celebrating the beauty of the great outdoors with an aim to inspire future outdoor adventures. Amy Baugh, Solicitor in our Family team, went on to ask Laurie what inspired him to incorporate the Dorset landscape into the design and how he captured its essence in the sculpture. Laurie explained: “Dorset Hills showcases iconic locations such as Chapman’s Pool, Anvil Point Lighthouse, and the cottage at Spyway, as well as other picturesque spots across the Isle of Purbeck.

“The design highlights the natural beauty and iconic landmarks of the Dorset landscape, capturing the area’s stunning scenery and paying tribute to the unique charm and inspiration of the county.”

Our committee members were keen to understand Laurie’s design process, learning how he transformed a blank canvas into the final product. Iona Murton, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Development team, asked Laurie what steps he took to translate his initial ideas into a cohesive and visually appealing design. Laurie replied: “The design process took around 40-50 hours to complete, using acrylic paint for the base colours and acrylic markers for the intricate linework.

“Finished with a protective coat of anti-graffiti varnish, the linework is inspired by the contours of OS maps, reflecting my fascination with interpreting spaces and landscapes without needing to visit them.”

The Great Tail Trail takes place next year between 5^th April – 1^st June, featuring over 40 unique Mermaid Tail sculptures displayed across Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch, all in support of the incredible work Julia’s House does to provide care and support for children and their families. Further updates about this exciting initiative will be shared early next year, stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved and show your support!