Hydra

Inspired by the graceful movement of aquatic plants, the Hydra’s verdigris bronze fronds stretch skyward, creating sweeping curves and reflections. This slender sculpture comes alive by night, casting mysterious shadows and inviting personal poetry to adorn its elegant branches.

Variations & finishes

1. Bronze and Gold Leaf

Verdigris or antique tan patina bronze and 23¾ gold leaf

2. Bronze and Stainless Steel

Verdigris or antique tan patina bronze and mirror-polished stainless steel

3. Bronze

Antique tan bronze

4. Stainless Steel

Mirror-polished stainless steel

Hydra is available in three sizes with larger sizes available on request. This sculpture is lit with either a warm white LED.

Available standard size

Hydra comes in 220cm, 275cm, 300cm. Other sizes available on request.

Available finishes

Bronze, Bronze and Stainless Steel, Bronze and Gold Leaf, Stainless Steel

Example scale

220cm, 275cm, 300cm
(Model scale: 180cm)

Design details

“You have all been fantastic at David Harber. From improving, at our request, the lead time to storing the sculpture because we were not ready! The guys who visited the site were very polite, clean and tidy. They waited around for a considerable amount of time for the client to approve the facing of the sculpture.”

Kate Gould Gardens

Hydra is inspired by the gentle swaying and vertical movement of aquatic plants. Its individual fronds interact with one another to create sweeping curves, shadows and reflections. The opportunity to personalise the sculpture by including words of wisdom on two of the fronds adds an atmosphere of intimacy.

Working as a team to create a bespoke large-scale Hydra for Denver Water.

The ability to personalise this outdoor sculpture with an engraved motto or quotation can make it into an intimate artwork.

The sculpture comes with a discreet single LED uplighter for after dark, allowing the twisting fronts to cast myriad shadows.

Product information

Hydra comes with its own base plate that needs to be bolted down onto a smooth and level foundation pad which should be sited below ground level. This allows room for an electric cable and for the base of the sculpture to be covered in gravel or planting giving the illusion that it is growing out from the ground. The piece can also sit above the water with the base plate being adjusted accordingly to meet the specific set up.

The piece should not be placed in positions prone to strong cross winds as over time significant movement could weaken the base of the sculpture. A stainless steel Hydra, should be placed in dappled or full shade to avoid any potential scorching that the slightly irregular reflection may cause to the surrounding area.

Installation and delivery are included in the price for UK commissions, and for overseas shipping and installation quotes can be obtained

The bronze the Hydra is made from will exhibit some natural weathering with age, however, periodic cleaning will help preserve its beauty. We would recommend that it be cleaned at least once a year with only warm water and a soft cloth to remove any detritus. The stainless-steel version should firstly be washed with a hose, to remove any dust or sand particles, and then cleaned and polished with glass cleaner. Use of any abrasive cleaner will damage the finish and must be avoided. Maintenance instructions will be issued on installation.