Sophie Ryder’s ‘Reclining Horse with Lovers, 2016’, cast in bronze, is one of the extraordinary works featuring in the Horatio’s Garden Online Art Auction 2025, and we’re delighted that you can now place your bids for it!

In @sophieryderartist‘s imaginary world, which is one of animals and mystical creatures constructed from wet plaster, old machine parts, scavenged toys, tangled wire, and torn scraps of paper, she creates two central hybrid beings: the Ladyhare, and its partner, the Minotaur. These enchanting creatures are bound together, often depicted in intimate and affectionate companionship.

In 2023, not only did Sophie contribute to Horatio’s Garden’s Art Auction, but she also installed three beautiful bronze sculptures in Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville as part of Horatio’s Garden’s vibrant Arts programme. She says:

“Horatio’s Garden is one of the loveliest charities I have been involved with. Creating an amazing environment for the wellbeing of patients is such an important part of recovery. Small spaces that are transformed into ‘secret gardens’ for people to sit and enjoy nature. As a child I spent many years in and out of children’s hospitals and the outdoor spaces were square and boring concrete yards. We would have loved a makeover by Horatio’s Garden.”

Aged 17, Ryder was the youngest student after J.M.W. Turner to be admitted to the Royal Academy Schools and since graduating has exhibited across the world. Swipe through to see her extraordinary work in situ in our Stoke Mandeville Garden.

To place your bid on this and many more incredible sculptures, photographs, paintings and ceramics by over 80 of the UK’s leading artists in Horatio’s Garden’s auction – which is generously supported and expertly overseen by @woolleyandwallissalerooms