We went out this afternoon for a bus ride and ramble. As usual, I took a few photos along the way though the light was wintery-dull and not very suitable for this.

We saw some sculptures at Marble Arch.

Still Water

The first sculpture has been in place long enough now to be a familiar landmark. It is a massive horse’s head by Nic Fiddian-Green, entitled, somewhat counterintuitively, Still Water.

Orphans

The second is the group of life-size elephants by Gillie & Marc entitled Orphans.

The intention is to publicise the damage being done to wild elephant population by ivory poachers and conflict with humans. The display focuses on the orphans, young elephants left helpless and unable to survive as a result of the killing of their mothers. A fuller explanation will be found on the Marble Arch website.

Happily, there is a charity that cares for some of the orphans, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Like all charities, this one needs, and deserves, donations.

Malkia

This is just one of the individual sculptures of juvenile elephants, a female named Malkia.

The mother

In the centre of the group and focal point of the design is a larger figure, representing the mother whose death has left the orphans in their precarious state.

Mercato Mayfair

This building in Mayfair, now crowded with people and market-style stalls, was obviously once a church. When it was such, it was called St Mark’s. Today it describes itself as “a cultural hub and sustainable community market“. It rejoices in the somewhat pretentious (but, then, this is Mayfair) name of Mercato Marfair. More information will be found on this website.

I missed the opportunity to photograph the striking pillared entrance of the building but you will find a picture of it and information about the old church in this Wikipedia entry.