Inexorable; Anne Bonny & Mary Read

Originally I was commissioned to design the UK’s first Non-Binary Sculpture celebrating the lives of female pirates, Anne Bonny & Mary Read. It is based on the Audio Book ‘Hell Cats’ written by Award-winning Author Carina Rodney and Historian Professor Kate Williams.

In 2020, a mock-up of the sculpture, named Inexorable, was unveiled at Wapping’s Execution Dock in London. The final piece was due to set sail to Burgh Island, Devon but in a turn of events, I became the proud owner of ‘Inexorable’.

Having completed the final piece in 2021 I chose for Inexorable to temporarily reside at Lewes FC in Sussex. Why a football club I hear you ask? ‘Inexorable’ is a reminder that you can live authentically as yourself and I want to make these trailblazing female pirates as famous as their male counterparts. Lewes FC are pioneers of gender equality in football. As the world’s only fairly resourced women’s & men’s club they’re known for smashing gender stereotypes. A match made in heaven!’ (Haha!)

My goal is to tour Inexorable across the UK, using it as an educational tool on women's history, to inspire open-mindedness, and to serve as a powerful reminder to embrace one's true self unapologetically. If you wish to provide a home in or by water where Bonny & Read can benefit the community and inspire people, get in touch.

Inexorable’s design

Anne Bonny & Mary Read were true life 18th century pirates lost in history. Inexorable brings their personalities back to life.

Sculpture ‘Inexorable’ is a metaphor for Bonny & Read’s personality, Fire & Earth. Individually they are strong independent individuals but when Bonny (Fire) & Read (Earth) combine they are dangerously unstoppable. Bonny’s passion fuels Read’s determination and Reads’s patience channel’s Bonny onto a path. Together they erupt like an inexorable volcano, they are the: ’Inexorable: Hell Cats.’

Inspired by their individuality yet incredible bond, Inexorable is not about their appearance but what's in their heart and their heads.

In order to highlight their forms, passions, significant features and overall bond the four elements of life, (water, air, fire & earth) naturally became essential characteristics to my sculpture.

Representing their 'freedom of the high seas' they stand with their backs to the land and I have physically allowed sea air to flow through the sculpture-like it did their veins.

Anne Bonny is best represented by fire matching an unpredictable personality. Bonny has fire in the belly, a curvaceous, fluid form resembling a flame and luscious fiery locks. Gems and shiny details represent Bonny's magpie characteristics and love for luxurious clothing.

Earth represents Mary Read's methodical, layered personality. The mountain symbol across Read’s back illustrates scars; a statement of Read's identity and representing not only inner strength but a calm, controlled, powerful nature. Read’s form is structured, rectangular and grounded.

They are independent. They do not need each other, they want each other. For this reason, I felt it was important to subtly connect them and very slightly tilt their heads inwards to capture their love.

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