IT is probably fair to say that in order to be fully appreciated, Christopher Marvell's recent sculptures ought to be seen in the great outdoors, in a field or a garden. Coming eyeball to eyeball with everything from his Hawk to Leaping Hare in the Belgrave Gallery, St Ives, is a daunting experience.

Within the confines of the gallery's four walls, such a close encounter with his bronze creations is akin to close combat, and conjures up the “there's no escape” feeling Daniel must have had when faced with the lions in their den.

An exaggeration, of course, for, although his sculptures are powerful, there is nothing to fear from them – whatever menace they may possess is more than diluted by the sculptor's love of laughter.

An unlikely Essex man who studied at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and whose works have been shown at a wide range of venues from the Chelsea Flower Show (2000-2004) to the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London, New York, Toronto and Palm Beach, Miami, he is unusual in that, apart from the casting of his large works, he carries out all the various processes involved in the making of his sculptures himself. He even designs and makes the plinths for the pieces that need them.

Whether looking at man, his boat or his dog, as in the three-in-one piece PZ36, it is the sense of balance he achieves between their inner and outer frailty and strength which makes them so special.

FRANK RUHRMUND

Christopher Marvell's recent sculptures can be seen, at the Belgrave Gallery, St Ives, until August 18