Relative Treats

Relative Treats is an emotive and poignant sculpture by Ray Lonsdale whose workshop is just down the road. It is not in such an obvious place as some of his other works like And the Village remains, Eleven O One or The The Ball and the Bradford Boys.

This one is tucked among the activity boards in the South Hetton Welfare Park.

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It was a non-commissioned piece and demonstrates the bond between generations. Stop a moment and take a seat next to the granny and granddaughter.

Since completion in 2013 it had been on tour at Staithes, Saltburn, Dalton Park, and the Doddington Hall sculpture exhibition. I believe it also did time at Durham Police station.

Given its final Shalimar in 2016 at South Hetton wellie. Purchased by South Hetton Parish Council.

The subtle twist of the meaning of relative treats is succinctly put in the poem.

Relative Treats

Rake in that bag dear,

And pull out if you see,

A sweet for you,

And a painkiller for me

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Looking over the finer detail you notice the delicate insertion of a butterfly in the handbag, some say signalling hope and that a brown butterfly signals important news.

Good observation of the hand on the granny shows it to be withered and veined.

Another nuance is that they both have a flower on their headwear.

Relative Treats is life size and as with most of Ray's work, it is made from a mosaic of corten steel which is allowed to oxidise.

Of course, they'll be there to keep you company whatever the weather!