Fragile: 5 piece Picture story - Wilfred's tale

Wilfred Stijer, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Wilfred Stijger - Fragile visions

At first I was unsure how to set the focus for my 5 piece picture story, but having spent most of my time at Sand World documenting Wilfred creating a Shakespearean montage i've  decided to tell his story. 

Described as a 'highly innovate artist' Wilfred has worked in a variety of mediums such as wood, polystyrene, sand, ice and snow and has been working his magic in sand since 1989, allowing him to both travel the world and collect many awards for his creations. 

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As soon as I walked into Weymouth's Sand World I instantly clicked with Dutch national Wilfred and once we got over the awkwardness of me not being able to speak dutch, despite it being in my blood, we got chatting about the process attached to creating such magnificent sculptures. 

What stood in front of Wilfred was a beautiful cave like structure adorned with Humans, donkeys, plants, amphibians and mythical creatures. 

Stijer's Shakespearean Montage in progress, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Despite everyone's total admiration towards the Shakespearean montage just like any artist Wilfred was unhappy with how he had represented the donkey labeling it as 'too cartoony' something he later describes as being born out of spending too much time in the sculptures presence. 

Wilfred texturing the donkey, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Upon talking to sand legends Mark Anderson and Dave Hicks, Wilfred planned to scrap the donkey and replace it with more fairies, however Mark and Dave where not going to let happen as A. the donkey was to detrimental to the story and B. a very good piece of art. 

''sometimes you have to kill your darlings''

Wilfred on his desire to get rid of the donkey

I returned to Wilfred an hour or so later and the difference with both his attitude towards the donkey and the representation of the donkey was incredible, the mule now lay textured and realistic. When I complimented Wilfred on the change he said that just like a photographer can not just look at a new camera and expect to know how to use it, a sculptor can not just stare at a piece of work and expect it to change,  'you have to allow yourself to play'. 

The Fairies, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

''You don't need patience, just VISION, GUTS and DETERMINATION''

''Wilfred on the skills needed to be a professional Sand Sculptor'

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The kissing Couple, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

If just like me you were fascinated by the piece of art made of sand head down to Sand World Weymouth and check them out in real life.

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ PHOTOGRAPHY