From a perfect set of buttocks or an octopus tentacle escaping from a basket, to being a bath time voyeur – these are my top Tenerife stone people.

1. The Fish Wife – Puerto de la Cruz.
At the entrance to the harbour, Julio Nieto’s pretty fish wife with her flowing skirts and her mouth poised mid “cockles, and muscles, alive, alive -o” (or whatever the Spanish equivalent is) is a beautiful tribute to the town’s fishing industry which is still one of its biggest assets.

2. Mencey Bentor  – Los Realejos.
Marking the spot from which he threw himself to his death rather than see his beloved island enslaved to the enemy, Mencey Bentor rails at the sky and the hopelessness of the Guanche plight against the Spanish conquistadors. The stunning views are enhanced even more by this impressively proportioned hero.

3. Fecundidad – Parque García Sanabria, Santa Cruz.
Casting all who see her into the role of bath time voyeurs, the fountain setting of Fecundidad is irresistible memory stick fodder. Rainbows dance around her permanently wet, plump knees as she bathes – the perfect depiction of the fertility of this paradise island.

4. Museo del Pescador – Puerto Santiago.
Bernard Romain’s fantastic depiction of life on and below the ocean’s waves on the building’s façade is easily missed as you navigate the bend but at the risk of taking out a headlamp, it’s a west coast must-see.

5. ‘Courage’ – Plaza del Principe, Santa Cruz.
The orator seems so at home beneath the trees in the busy Principe park where he daily preaches his gospels. Joining his audience on the plinth, Hanneke Beaumont’s art work provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to get in on the act.

6.  Teatro Guimerá.
The iconic bronze mask is a stunning landmark for the capital’s historic theatre and what’s more, by leaning nonchalantly against the nose, it lends itself to the coolest of 70s album cover poses.

7. Alonso Díaz – Santiago del Teide.
Testament to the power of perseverance and the victory of the little man against the might of conquest, the Guanche goatherd Díaz and his kid goat have come to symbolize the pretty rural hamlet in which they reside.

8. Monument to the Fallen, Plaza España.
Proving irresistible to anyone with a penchant for the perfect buttocks are the warriors who stand guard over the Spanish Civil War memorial in the capital’s heart.

9. Cha Domitila – Arguayo.
Illustrating the strength and skill of the women who traditionally crafted the distinctive  pottery of the area, these sculptures look perfect against their cliff face backdrop.

10. Monument to the Defeat of Nelson, Santa Cruz.
The distraught woman with her clenched fists is the perfect depiction of defiance as she stands as firm and as unmovable as the Anaga Mountains behind her.

And just to keep all you sculpture fans out there happy, the photo of the woman on the home page is the Monument to the Defeat of Nelson. Mencey Bentor was our photo challenge a while back. And here are photos of the rest of the top ten. From left to right: The two pottery girls of Cha Domitila, Courage in Santa Cruz (clearly taking a night class) and Alonso Díaz with his dinner…err I mean goat.

Three terms it took me in metalwork, pulverising a chunk of tin to turn it into a wobbly candle holder that even my Mum wouldn’t show off. So my admiration for La Orotava sculptor Julio Nieto is immense, I am totally in awe of his Piel De Metal (Skin Of Metal) exhibition in Santa Cruz. If turning heads is the aim of street art, then the seven pieces in Calle Valentin Sanz, are certainly proving a big success, locals and tourists alike were stopping, smiling, posing for photos and generally interrupting their daily bustle.

It took Julio seven years, crafting one piece a year, to complete the collection, not that it consumed all of his time, the talented artist has plenty of other works on the go and also makes distinctive and expressive metal furniture. I caught Julio checking up on La Llamada (The Calling) and he explained his creative process. “I like to bring out the resonance of the metal” he says pointing to the intricate straining sinews and muscles in the shining body that dwarfs us. Leaning in further he picks out more key points “I use industrial metal and solder the pieces together” the small connecting points work well adding to the boldness of the work.

Not all the pieces rely on sharpness and precision, Viajero (The Traveller) has a darker textured quality with a globe of the world for an eye. Marea looks at first glance like the fisher woman statues that pay homage around Tenerife, but closer inspection reveals that this lady is made up of fish, right up to her hair and stingray shaped basket on her head.

I was a bit peeved that the early sun had retreated behind clouds for a while but Julio was keen to point out that these are sculptures for all seasons. “They take on different qualities in differing light, the sun adds a new glint and at night the street lamps refract off in a myriad of ways.”

A cat stretches proudly looking down on Plaza del Principe, its title Y Alicia? refers to Lewis Carroll and his Wonderland. If puss has just jumped out of a children’s book, further along a wild flailing human figure leaps out of the world of legends. Icaro Salvado shows Icarus with his feather and candle wax wings in tatters after flying too close to the heat of the sun. If some of the imagery is lost on the passers by, they all seem to appreciate the style and adventure of the works, just a few weeks after a wild Carnaval it takes a lot to wow the people of Santa Cruz but Julio Nieto’s metal creations have rattled more than a few cages.

FACT FILE

Piel de Metal is on permanent display until 18 March, just up from Plaza de España, take a right turn off Calle Castillo.

Piel de Metal will then be on tour, provisional dates are

Granadilla  8 to 18 April

Vilaflor 19 to 30 April

Icod 20 to 31 may

Garachico 22 July to 1 August

You can see more at www.pieldemetalartecalle.blogspot.com where Julio welcomes feedback, and you can see more of his other work at www.julionieto.com