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Three lifesize Hippo sculptures have arrived at Myres Castle. The Hippos have been immersed in the front curling pond and now take up permanaent residence at Myres.

The hippo sculptures are a departure from Tessa's allegorical pieces, but she was inspired to create them after seeing these great beasts wallowing in the calm water. They appear like floating logs, when really they are massive, weighty, aggressive animals.

Tessa loved the fact that she could sculpt the hippos in a manner that did not need the whole bodies, yet retains the full impact of them being complete life size animals. The importance to her, was that the base of the sculpture is formed by the water creating a fluid, ever moving accompaniment, absorbing the hippos fully into their natural habitat and landscape.

The sculptures were purchased by Castle owners Jonathan and Jenny White, following a meeting with the Scottish artist in June 2006 when Tessa’s husband Rory Bremner came up to Myres to attend a cookery class.   

Jonathan said: When we met with Tessa and heard about the hippos and the background to their creation, it was obvious to us that they would look terrific in our curling pond.

Collecting art is our passion and the sculptures add a completely new dimension to what we have at Myres Castle.  The pond is a focal point for visitors as they arrive at the castle and the hippos will inject a sense of personality and provide a further piece of interest.

Her work can be found in public and private collections in the UK, Denmark, South Africa, the USA, Australia and Monaco, and in the collections of Her Majesty the Queen, His Royal Highness Prince Fahd Salman, William Grant & Son and Sir Jackie Stewart.

Her work to date has focused mainly on animal and human subject matter, drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources including pre-historic cave paintings, inuit sculpture and the classical world. Her work is not merely literal but also sensitive, with allegorical and spiritual influences. She tries to capture the essence of her subject, be it abstract or representational.

I am a sculptor who is inspired by life, movement, texture and atmosphere. My sculpture seeks to reflect the fragility of nature and man. I see sculpture as a drawing in three dimensions, using light and shadow to act upon the planes of the sculpted surface. The work need not always be literal; to capture human sensibilities is what the best art is all about.