Ken Martin - Port Lincoln Sculptor: Ron visits Port Lincoln on Eyre Peninsula in the West Coast region of South Australia

Regardless of whether you're a regular racegoer it was impossible not to be moved by the feats of a horse owned by connections in Port Lincoln. Makybe Diva's style and grace under pressure and her sheer power had many under a spell including Ken Martin, a sculptor working away in a backyard shed.

In April 2006 Ken turned his hand to his most ambitious project yet - a life size bronze replica of Makybe Diva for permanent display on the Port Lincoln waterfront. Work on the triple Melbourne Cup winner began with a 500-kilogram plasticine model. It's seven percent larger than the legendary mare, which allows for shrinkage following the bronze casting process. A silicon rubber mould is made from the plasticine model and then shipped to a foundry in Melbourne.

"It's getting to the essence of the animal itself," said Ken. "I mean you're talking about a very special horse… so that will be the challenge for me - a horse with personality."

Ken Martin's work is all about capturing the essence of things in solid form but they all begin the original sculpture - a composite of internal wire frame and outer clay which is then sent to the Victorian foundry.

"They take a silicon rubber mould and the sculpture will be cast in wax," explained Ken. "The wax is vested into a ceramic mould and placed into an oven where the wax is burnt out and the cavity replaced with bronze. That mould is then smashed to reveal the bronze."

Many of Ken's pieces are on permanent display at Pedemonte's Jewellers on Tasman terrace directly opposite the town jetty. Ken's sculpture of Makybe Diva is expected to be in place on the Port Lincoln Foreshore before this year's Melbourne Cup. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Ken Martin
Pedemonte's Jewellers
Tasman Tce
Port Lincoln
Opposite the town jetty

Published 23rd July 2006