Ronald Moody
Savacou Maquette
1900-1984
Savacou Maquette
1963/1
Plaster with copper coating
72 x 62 x 23 cm
This is the plaster maquette for the seven feet high aluminium sculpture commissioned by Professor A. L. Cochrane of the Epidemiological Research Unit, South Wales to strand outside it fraternal unit, on the campus of the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica.
‘“The bird is my idea of the Carib god called Savacou, who came down to earth to look after storms and the sea. After doing his stint, as it were for many, many years he returned to the heavens and became a star. If you’ll notice the headdress, I’ve simulated a bit of a starlike quality.’” Moody in interview with Sylvia Moore of Nederland TV. 29.7.77.
The head is reminiscent of a carving of a parrot from the bows of a Solomon Island boat, but was directly inspired by a Chinese drawing, according to a letter Moody wrote to his written to his wife:
“In the meanwhile, I am busy drawing. I came across an old Chinese bird roughly this sort of head [sketch of parrot-like head]”
A bronze copy of the maquette was delivered to Professor A. L. Cochrane on July 5th 1964 and was prominently displayed in his garden in Wales until his death, since when it had been even more prominently placed on the roof of his nephew’s house in Dorset.
