The sculpture made by a Stone! Ronnie Wood loans artwork to Wiltshire tourist attraction

Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood is sharing his passion for making art with visitors to one of Wiltshire’s biggest tourist attractions.

The guitarist has loaned a one-tonne rotating bronze sculpture to Longleat, with the artwork on display in the estate’s Secret Garden.

The sculpture is called ‘Struggles and Triumphs’, and was created in a foundry from an original smaller piece created by Ronnie in one afternoon.

Ronnie said: “It came about on a whim as I love horses and I completed it in one sitting. It was in the foundry for three to six months; they suggested rotating it and I thought what a brilliant idea.”

Ronnie, who is renowned for his art as well as his music, said: “When I heard it would be in the Secret Garden, I was very excited. It was perfect for it. It means a lot to have it here at Longleat; it’s another bit of history in this environment.

“This has given me so much enjoyment as I rarely venture into sculpture.”

Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess of Bath, said: “We are delighted to have it here in Longleat; it is in the Secret Garden in an area which is just perfect for it – it looks like it was made to be there.

Emma, the 8th Marchioness, said: “It is beautiful. The colours are stunning and will change with the seasons as the light bathing it changes.

Ronnie and Lady Bath are proud ambassadors of Tusk, and they first met when Lord and Lady Bath purchased a gorilla art piece created by Ronnie’s wife, Sally.

Ronnie said: “Longleat is wonderful. I got involved with Tusk because I want my kids and other people’s children to be able to see animals such as rhinos, lions, tigers. Conservation of these animals is so important to protect them for the future.”