Belinda Ormond first created her little men a few years ago, with the intention of making a hand-modelled, fun and quirky set of sculptures that could be displayed together on a shelf in one’s home as a light-hearted décor item. These ‘Little Men’ – created with the idea of being portrayed ‘in conversation’, have become increasingly popular and are a happy addition to any space.
Belinda Ormond Little Men
Slightly reminiscent of ‘Morph’ – many people’s favorite childhood character, and a reminder of making plasticine figures as kids, these ‘cute’ figurines recall images of playfulness, and a sense of having time – to rest, ponder, daydream and just sit… they show individuals in repose. Sat together in a group, they also incite memories of togetherness and friendship.
Belinda’s original little men are modelled in various sitting poses, each with a certain unique mood. The clay figures, having become a familiar sight to many art-lovers, have now evolved into the realm of the ‘unbreakable’ and the ‘collectible’ – Belinda has chosen to cast ten poses in bronze, as limited-edition collector’s items. Bronze sculptures are known to be costly, but with the small size of these wonderful figurines, Ormond’s ‘Little Men’ fall within the affordable range of bronze art available now.
Little men's process
Bronze casting is an age-old process requiring masterful skill and craftsmanship. Cape Bronze Foundry allows artists to transform their creations into durable, long-lasting sculptures that can become valuable investment pieces, passed down through generations as sentimental heirlooms. Smaller bronzes, such as the ones Belinda Ormond has had cast, make perfect collector’s items – easy to wrap up, travel with, and unbreakable in luggage.
They are also a good choice of 3D art for those concerned about ceramic pieces being broken. Bronze has style and class. It is a highly respected art form, requiring time, precision, and patience to progress from the initial clay phase through the various stages to the final polishing phase or the addition of a patina finish. Bronze is versatile in that patinas come in different tones – the more classic copper/brown polished look, along with other shades, including a green/blue patina, which gives a distinct, more colourful appearance.
At Cape Bronze, an artist submits the original form, from which a mould is made. This mould is then used to create a limited edition of casts. Belinda Ormond’s first batch of ‘little men’ has been cast with a classic patina finish. She has created moulds for ten different poses of her little men ‘in conversation’. Her first cast, comprising ten different little men, took approximately eight weeks to be carefully cast and finished. They are now ready and waiting in the gallery, adding a sense of fun and humour to interior spaces. Our first little man has sold, and nine from this batch are still available.
Available at Hamilton Gallery, we have ten men ready to grace your shelves. Bronze ‘Little Men’ can be ordered from the gallery in the poses of your choice from the selection of ten variants. Whether you prefer clay or bronze, these men will light up your day.
