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A charging cheetah has taken a momentary break in hunting to enjoy a hot dip with its prey at Humber Galvanizing Ltd, based in Hull.

The striking sculpture – depicting a cheetah hunting a gazelle -was crafted by Richard Gibson of Wold Wire Sculptures, based in Thixendale in York, who was commissioned to contribute to the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park spring/ summer exhibition in Ripon.

And aware that his big cat creations were particularly favoured, he spotted the perfect opportunity to bring to life the sculpture he’s been eager to create for a number of years.

The life size open wire sculpture was created from studying a selection of expert wildlife photographs to identify the most suitable big cat profile for transference into 3D form, before Richard worked up a full scale working drawing which he used as a guide to forge his substantial frames.

The cheetah measures an impressive 1.74m in length, weighing in at 25kg, whilst its prey is a slightly smaller 1.36m in length and weighs 18kg. The frames were galvanised by Humber Galvanizing Ltd to ensure longevity and a good strong finish, before being covered in galvanized wire.

Reflecting on this commission, Richard said: “The Himalayan Sculpture Gardens is such a beautiful space that I wanted to ensure I made something that really stood out. I’ve always been fascinated with movement and I try really hard to portray that in my work, so creating a sprinting cheetah has always appealed to me – the way they move is so majestic it’s almost poetic.

“I’ve always been impressed by Humber Galvanizing – the turnaround time is very quick, and the staff are always friendly and helpful. And of course, the quality of the galvanizing is why I return to them time and again when it comes to protecting my sculptures from the elements.”

Tony Linsley, Sales Manager at Humber Galvanizing, added: “We have a fantastic working relationship with Richard and are delighted that once again we’ve been able to assist him in the galvanizing of one of his incredible sculptures. Richard never ceases to amaze us with his creativity and quality of craftsmanship, and it’s only fitting that such impressive artwork should be so well preserved in order to be enjoyed for many years to come.”

Richard’s sculpture can be found at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park in Ripon during the 2025 season, which ends on 2nd November 2025.

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