Sculptor goes back to school in Stourbridge to unveiled latest project
A celebrated artist has unveiled a new sculpture at the college where he first began developing his sculpting skills.
Luke Perry is renowned for creating works which symbolise the Black Country's industrial history, but now he has unveiled something which represents his time at King Edward VI College, Stourbridge.
His dragon sculpture, which is wrapped around a metal signpost, was unveiled to the students and staff who helped with its creation.
The 33 year old was invited to create the unique sculpture with some of the college's current art students.
The piece was created on the college grounds. Luke and the students have been working since June to design and build it.
Luke said "The fact that we only began in June and it was installed at the beginning of this month meant it was quite an intense schedule.
"But we were given a lot of freedom by the college and, with a certain amount of editorial guidance from myself, we were able to create the vision of the students.
"We wanted to create something that would be a place-maker. The location of the piece is in a place that is a particular sun trap and where the students go for some space, so the sculpture marks that."
Luke went to the college between 2000 and 2003 and still has a personal link as his wife Natalie works there as an art technician.
The work has also reunited him with his former English teacher Rosie Shale.
Talking about what inspired the work Luke said: "We looked at the college's old symbol which has a dragon and a lion on it.
"The students said the college already reminds them of Hogwarts, but even more so now with the dragon pride of place within the grounds."
The sculptor is hoping that the artwork will be enjoyed by both the current and future generation, including potentially by his seven-month-old daughter Indigo and three-year-old daughter Matilda if they decide to go to the college themselves one day.
