Widely regarded as one of the U.K.’s leading contemporary sculptors working within the animal genre, artist Nichola Theakston creates ceramic and bronze sculptures of horses, hares, sighthounds, and primates.

In her work, Theakston explores the notion that animals may experience some spiritual or “other” realm beyond what humans understand about their behavior. She often depicts primates because of their genetic proximity to humans, seeking to underscore the similarities between the human and animal kingdoms.

Her terracotta sculpture, Jousting Hares (2016), shows two lean hares colliding in a duel, streaked with hues of white and light blue. Their elongated bodies showcase Theakston’s striking attention to composition and detail.

Theakston’s work has been exhibited extensively in the U.K., and is held in institutional collections including the Weiner Museum of Decorative Arts.