Giant newt created for Fens Pool in Pensnett
A giant 25 foot long crested newt will take up residence at Fens Pool in Pensnett in the not too distant future.
Metal sculptor Luke Perry, 37, who lives Stourbridge and has his workshop at Cradley Heath, was commissioned by the Friends of Fens Pool to create the massive piece of artwork.
Luke, who works under the name of IHS Artwork, said: "I create what many people consider civil rights representations such as The Sikh Soldiers at Wednesbury and figurative pieces in bronze and steel.
"The Friends group, who care for the nature reserve, commissioned me to create the sculpture for an entrance piece and to pay tribute to it being a triple Site of Special Scientific Interest which helps protect the area from development.
"It is made of steel and I have named it The Crested King.
"He is made of steel and galvanised in zinc to keep the weather at bay so he will not rust.
"Although he may seem large at five to six metres he is not the largest I have created.
"My largest was nearly 20 metres tall and is a coal-mining monument and stands in Walsall Woods, near Lichfield.
"The Crested King is I believe the largest amphibian sculpture in this country."
Luke spent on year on the planning stage for the newt and a month on the construction of the giant sculpture.
His previous work can be seen across the West Midlands, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and Southampton.
