Deirdre Nicholls

Changing Ideas Award
My sculpture of a Belted Galloway calf is rooted in an urgent and often overlooked social issue: our deep dependence on the animal kingdom, and the fragile systems that sustain it. While the work may appear pastoral, it speaks directly to contemporary concerns around biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and the sustainability of food systems.
Rare and traditional breeds such as the Belted Galloway are not just heritage curiosities; they play a vital role in regenerative agriculture. Their hardiness, grazing patterns and ability to thrive on marginal land contribute to healthier soils and more resilient ecosystems. In an era of industrial farming and environmental decline, their preservation is intrinsically linked to the long-term health of our landscapes and, ultimately, to human survival.
By presenting this calf as an individual—sentient, vulnerable, and dignified—I aim to shift perception away from animals as commodities towards a recognition of interdependence. This concern extends across my practice, which includes sculptures of rare and endangered breeds such as the Berkshire Sow, reinforcing an ongoing commitment to raising awareness of biodiversity through form and colour.
Art has the capacity to reconnect us emotionally with what we risk losing. This sculpture seeks to foster that connection, encouraging a more thoughtful and responsible engagement with the natural world, and contributing to vital conversations about our shared future. - the artist.