A bet over dinner between an internationally renowned sculptor and a rugby league international has left the Bradford Bull's flying centre sitting pretty.
Shontayne Hape is the proud owner of a wooden chair by Keighley-based sculptor Simon Moller - which the Kiwi won in a wager.
Mr Moller, one time holder of the prestigious Henry Moore fellowship, promised to make Shontayne a sculptured chair if he scored in all the Super League play-off games last season.
The two men met through Mr Moller's partner, Lesley Okey, a clinical hypnotherapist who sponsors Shontayne and the wager was made over the dinner table.
"It was half a joke," said Simon, 53, who lives in East Morton, but originates from Saltaire.
"He scored in all except the final when it didn't count. The video judge disallowed it, but it was just a finger-nail decision.
"As far as I was concerned it was a try so I honoured the bet.
"I don't believe Shontayne believed I would but, of course, I did and he is over the moon with it. It was moved into his house recently and it looks a million dollars."
He said his chairs were more like thrones. They were works of art but also functional.
Shontayne said: "The chair is a fantastic piece of work - and it has become the focal point of my house. It just knocks you out when you walk in.
"Simon spent weeks crafting if from elm, yew and copper. He even built in a wooden rugby ball and space to put some books and a laptop.
"The piece is priceless to me. It was just a very generous gesture from a fantastic sculptor."
Mr Moller now works from Keighley Business Centre but he has worked all over the world and exhibited from Birmingham to Bratislava.
A Royal College of Art student, he later taught in Ireland and on returning to England in 1987 he was awarded the Senior Henry Moore Fellowship which allowed him to give up teaching and concentrate of his sculpture.
He is outspoken in his critical views of the new wave of British artists, especially Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.
He said: "There is a block of sculpture happening in England at the moment that I am totally at odds with.
"I don't think it has the legs to last. I don't think it will be revered in thirty years' time.
"There is a whole spectrum of artists and youth today in art colleges with very little or no ability."
In the 1970s Moller used to refuse money for his work, preferring to barter or even give it away.
He now works on commission and these days only gives his work away to international rugby stars cheeky enough to take up the challenge to "try".
e-mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk
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