The Lioness and the Lesser Kudu

Macfilos Weekender by Kevin Armstrong

In Upper Grosvenor Gardens near Victoria Station in London sits a life-sized sculpture of a lioness chasing a lesser kudu by Jonathan Kenworthy. It is No. 8 on Time Out’s list of top animal sculptures in London.

As I walked around the sculpture with the X Vario a gap in the clouds lit the face of the lioness to the rear so that my eye moved back and forth between the animals. I intended to capture the face of the determined kudu in sharp focus whilst leaving the lioness as a brighter but less sharp presence.  I wanted to express the moment of connection between the two animals as the lioness bears down on her quarry. Also the determination on the face of the kudu and the open look on the lioness’s face raises for me the question as to whether or not the kudu will be caught or will escape.

I hope this photo illustrates the quality of the original idea, and skill, of the sculptor and in this lighting helps to enliven the sculpture further. I think it also illustrates the quality of the lens on the X Vario.