There is just over a month to go until the launch of the Big Sleuth in Birmingham and we are SUPER EXCITED.

From the 10th July – 17th September 2017, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital 10 week public art trail returns to our city, following the success of the Big Hoot in 2015.

Up to 100 of these 165cm tall bear sculptures will be spread across the regions streets, parks and open spaces from Solihull to Resorts World and the challenge is to find them all, whilst getting active walking, cycling or jogging!

Back in March, we were lucky enough to be invited to a SNEAK PEAK press event showcasing the artists’ submissions, from which the lucky designs were chosen to be bought to life by corporate sponsors.

One of our favourite designs on the night was Hunny Bear the Honey Bottle – and we are chuffed to bits to learn that this design was selected on the night! He has recently been lovingly created by local artist Glen Brooks and is now on his way to his new home! 🙂

Glen’s fiancé Jane Mota got in touch to share some background about Glen and the inspiration behind the design.

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About Glen

“Glen has been a fine artist and sculpturer all his life. He is currently the Head Artist/Deputy Manager at the West Midland Safari park so many of you will have seen his seasonal works around the park such as the giant Easter eggs, or the Santa Safari.
The highlight of Glen’s career to date was working for the well known artist Damien Hirst, in his studios.”
“Glen has also worked for many interior design companies and also does smaller works for individuals such as a window trompeloi or murals for children’s rooms. He dearly loves his work and gets intrigued by what is possible to achieve as an artist.”

The Design

“This year the Sun bear (sadly threatened with extinction) is the inspiration for The Big Sleuth trail. With that in mind Glen wanted to create something bright and sunny and so the concept of the Hunny Bear Honey Bottle was born!

Glen wanted to create a bear that would be striking from a distance so you could spot him from afar! He wondered if, and how, he could create the illusion of a transparent bottle filled with clear honey and a few bubbles of course for a bit of fun! And then of course it was only right he should have a lid!
Glen has Ex-slueth-sively  revealed (see what we did there) that there is a special bubble hidden in his honey somewhere, can you spot it? What is it?”
We can’t wait to discover his secret!!
His final location is yet to be established, but we are looking forwarding to tracking him down when the trail opens in 5 weeks time.
You can learn more about The Big Sleuth Trail and follow updates from Birmingham Childrens Hospital on The Big Sleuth Facebook Page.
Well done Glen, and thankyou Jane for sharing his story. We LOVE LOVE LOVE The Hunny Bear Honey Bottle and can’t wait to see him in the flesh! We also look forward to the auction at the end of the trail in September, where undoubtedly he will raise a healthy sum for a fantastic cause!