My Hares And Graces – A Centrepiece For Your Garden

My Hares and Graces, is the concept of Carol Slabolepszy (née Longfield) which began in 2011 and consisted initially of life-size sculptures of hares. There are now 15 hares, 7 cats and 6 dogs… in different poses. Wonderfully creative and inspired by the animal kingdom.

“I like to work on an animal in a pose of quiet alertness,” explains Carol. “My dog sculptures are a Whippet, Schnauzer, Dachshund, Jack Russell, Yorkshire Terrier and a Bull Terrier All my animals are hand-made and life-size sculptures. They have a gentle presence which will enliven your home or garden….. and they don’t need feeding!”

Limited Edition Lockdown hares

As with many design industries, Carol needed to get creative during the national lockdown in South Africa in March 2020. She took up the challenge to create Limited Edition hugging hares for every day until the end of lockdown level 1. Each piece was carefully numbered and dated starting with number 1 on 27 March 2020. Each hugging hare is unique and never to be made again. Once they are ordered, they are engraved with the date and number and they can be sent anywhere in South Africa. Delivery fees are included in the price.

“Covid 19 changed so much for all of us and I have realized what a special group of people South Africans are…(thieves aside), we have had to think on our feet, stay resourceful and responsive to the occasion; we have had to support and care for one another from a distance. We will ride this storm thanks to our resilience and deep love for one another and our country.”

Carol works alongside her co-creator, Petrus Daluka who too is a master craftsman and does all the mould making and casting. Together they are a creative force to be reckoned with.

A percentage of sales is donated to the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Riverine Rabbit Project, African Pangolin Working Group and the Rhino Revolution’s Pangolin Protection Programme.

Stay at home this holiday time and create your own getaway space in the garden with a peaceful animal as your centre piece.