MIXED MEDIA UNITED KINGDOM Gemma Rees is a British sculptor whose highly tactile, illustrative works bring a cinematic and characterful energy to the world of 3D wildlife. Having spent many years as a prominent 2D designer for major stationery brands like Art Group and Gallery Five, Gemma made a definitive pivot into sculpture, discovering a passion for the three-dimensional form that allows her to breathe life into the animals she depicts. While she is widely known for her celebrated dog sculptures, her work spans a diverse range of subjects.Her academic foundation is as rigorous as her process; she holds a First Class Honours degree in Visual Communication from Birmingham University and an MA in Design and Illustration from Brighton College of Art. This background in illustration remains the heartbeat of her work. Rather than aiming for anatomical realism, Gemma focuses on capturing the "soul" and perceived character of her subjects. Her sculptures—often described as looking as though they have stepped straight off a Wes Anderson film set—possess a poised, dynamic quality, appearing ready to spring into action at any moment.For her debut with Mountain Galleries, Gemma has turned her focus to the rugged wildlife of the mountains, exploring the spirits of bears, foxes, and hares. Each piece is a testament to patience and craftsmanship, beginning as a 2D sketch before being built upon a wire armature with layers of clay and resin. The most intensive phase is the texturing of the "hair," a meticulously detailed process involving a unique blend of fibers, wire, and resin.Now living and working in West Sussex, UK, Gemma’s work is held in private collections internationally. Her move into the Canadian mountain landscape marks an exciting new chapter, translating her signature scruffy, textured aesthetic into the majestic forms of the wild.