Sculpture presented to Haworth Cat Rescue (From Keighley News)

Sculpture presented to Haworth Cat Rescue

11:20am Friday 23rd October 2009

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A pet welfare group has been presented with a wire sculpture of a cat made by a professional “Jaws” James Bond villain look-alike.

Artist and actor Gary Tiplady created the artwork for Haworth Cat Rescue.

Mr Tiplady, who is more than seven feet tall, is a friend of the group’s patron, romantic comedy author Milly Johnson and originally comes from Newcastle.

He said: “Milly is a good friend of mine and when I heard about her appointment as patron earlier this year I decided to look up Haworth Cat Rescue.

“With her prodding, I agreed to turn my hand to a wire cat — something I’d never tried before. I’m pleased with the result.”

He honed his artistic ability following an earlier career as a professional chef.

He uses his eye-catching wired teeth — as well as his hands — to mould mesh into the shapes of creatures such as dogs, birds and the occasional snail. He said: “The model animals are moulded and bashed together with woven galvanised wire mesh and a hammer.

“I sometimes have a nibble on the wires to help bend them into shape — it’s my trademark.”

He said he was delighted to present his latest creation — named “Pussy Galore” — to Haworth Cat Rescue.

He added he understood it should one day take pride of place in the foyer of the group’s planned new cat re-homing centre.

The charity is currently running a fundraising appeal to collect enough cash to fund the development.

Milly Johnson, accepting the sculpture on behalf of Haworth Cat Rescue, said: “Gary has a heart of gold and has seen the benefits the companionship of pets brings through his charitable work with children and his local hospice.

“I am just so pleased that he has been able to support us.”

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