A woman of metal

A woman of metal

Appearing this week as a rakish riposte to the Chelsea Flower Show is this fearsome beastie (right). Just imagine it, swivelling around on its long, wooden legs and biting the tops off all those prized blooms - a counter-offensive on behalf of hay-fever sufferers everywhere. This thing, a compelling mix of whimsy and shear menace, is the work of Sophie Marsham, a 28-year-old sculptor who has already found commercial success with site- specific commissions for Pret-a-Manger, doing big dolphins and chickens out of similar materials. Her first one-woman show opens today. Called Metalmorphosis, it comprises steel sculptures of animals and figures made from found objects and recycled metal. A 10-inch sheep made from wire wool and metal shavings stands alongside a six-inch steel man made from electrical components: a sparky new techno-pastoral in the making.

Metalmorphosis is at The Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham St, W1 (0171- 636 7478) to 31 May