RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 - Asian Hornet
Scale: 5:1 (approx.)
Client: Animal and Plant Health Agency
Following the success of the models made for the 2022 show highlighting invasive species, I was once again commissioned by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, part of DEFRA) for their exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 highlighting the danger to our native pollinators by the invasive Asian Hornet. The exhibit won the prestigious Chelsea Gold Award and was also awarded best in show for Discovery.
The feature model on display is a sculpture of an Asian Hornet 'processing' a European honey bee. The predator catches it's prey and then carries it to a nearby bush, tree or similar and hangs by it’s back legs, using its remaining free legs to hold the bee as it chews off the wings, head and abdomen, leaving the thorax to be eaten. This is shown here roughly mid way through the process.
The model was made using a combination of digitally sculpted parts then 3D printed, along with traditional clay sculpture and model making techniques.
