Bust of Wolves manager Nuno goes on display in Tettenhall
From Nelson Mandela to Nuno Espirito Santo – the Wolves manager is the latest subject to have been recreated in clay by a local artist.
After sculpting the head of the South African political figurehead, Sandra Squires needed inspiration on her next project, and this is where she turned to her 13-year-old son, a season ticket holder at Molineux.
“I did one of Nelson Mandela before as well as random faces and then I asked Lewis who to do next and he suggested a football player,” Sandra said.
“As a big Wolves fan he said to do either Ruben Neves or Nuno, it’s easier to sculpt an older face so I went with Nuno – and what a lovely nose he has.”
The 55-year-old, who works in the public health sector at Wolverhampton Council, creates pieces of art in her spare time.
From 2D to 3D
She said: “I had to sculpt it from photos, but the hardest thing about that is turning a 2D picture into a 3D sculpture.
“You have to look at different images of the top and side of the head to get the shape right.
“It would have been nice to work from a live model.”
The bust is currently on display at Tettenhall Transport Heritage Centre with plans being made for it to tour other venues around the city.
Alec Brew, the centre's curator, has been a Wolves fan since 1959 and thinks the artwork is a welcome addition to the centre.
He said: “We already have a small Wolves’ display related to local coach firm Don Everall, who used to supply the team bus, and as we are mostly fans here we are proud to have this superb tribute to Nuno.
“It looks great, we wanted it on display at our centre as it’s brilliant.
“Nuno is the finest manager since Stan Cullis, it’s certainly the the best football we’ve played.”
Sandra said: “We don’t know how long it will be there for, it’s just an idea at the moment.We’re still making a plan, but I’ve approached other establishments who seem happy to have Nuno visiting.
“I would like him to eventually be on show at Wolves.”
