Whistler's work inspires ice art

A scale model of the planned ice sculpture

A block of ice is set to be transformed into a sculpture inspired by the work of artist Rex Whistler.

The 1m (3.2ft) frozen block is being chipped and scraped by artist Christine Roberts at Plas Newydd, on Anglesey, over the weekend.

The National Trust property is home to a famous wall mural by Whistler.

The ice is being brought in especially from London for the event - as ice for sculpture has to be frozen slowly to ensure it is strong enough.

Artist Christine Roberts usually works in a false stone material called jesmonite, but said she became interested in ice and snow sculpture 15 years ago after being invited to take part in an ice sculpture competition in Finland.

The first attempt by the four-strong team was "a horrible thing" she said, and was a "learning curve".

"It's a chance to work on a very large scale, which you can't do normally because it is too expensive," she said.

"It doesn't matter that they disappear as it is the making of a piece which is the important part."

Ms Roberts is used to working on larger scale ice sculptures

The ice sculpture on Anglesey will be of a head based on the Rex Whistler mural at Plas Newydd.

The block is 1m (3.3ft) high and 25cm (10ins) deep, and Ms Roberts has produced a 25cm (10ins) scale model to make sure the end result is a success.

The ice sculpture is part of a series of evening events at Plas Newydd on 9, 10, 16 and 17 December.

Ms Roberts' previous work includes the synthetic Gorsedd stones for the National Eisteddfod, produced to cut down on costs.

They are transported around different locations in Wales for the annual ceremony saving the cost of buying real stones.