Red Shed roars again: BNU alumna has returned to campus to paint guardian lions for charity
Buckinghamshire New University’s iconic ‘Red Shed’ has become a temporary shelter for a lion couple as a Graphic Arts graduate returns to paint the duo for the 2026 Pride of Yorkshire art trail.
Jenny Tang, who graduated in 2015, has spent more than 120 hours so far in the Painting and Textiles area, meticulously hand painting the lion and lioness sculptures.
They are part of the 300-strong “pride” which will be auctioned off in October to raise millions for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations.
Jenny won the commission after submitting her plans for the big cat sculptures and was left bewildered in High Wycombe town, struggling to find enough space to house them and enable her to work on them. Following advice from a friend, Jenny reached out to BNU to ask if she might work on them in the High Wycombe campus arts studio, called the Red Shed. BNU welcomed her back with open arms.
Jenny said: “As a former student, it’s incredible to be back here. It feels like I never left. BNU kindly let me use the space as a temporary home for the lions while I bring them to life. It’s the perfect place to bridge my past as a student with this project that means so much to me.
“What has also been amazing is all the current students who have come up to ask about my work. It’s been nice to offer them real advice and guidance as a working artist. It’s a different career to choose – but I’ve got no regrets. I love what I do and I’m glad to be able to show students that there is real potential to find paid work as an artist.”
Her design is a striking cultural blend and was inspired by the Shíshī – traditional Chinese guardian lions that symbolise strength and protection. She has also incorporated the colours of the Yorkshire flag to create a unique “Guardian of Sheffield” element.
This project is the second of its kind that Jenny has undertaken – previously painting a Big Sleuth bear as part of a trail to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity in 2017. Following that auction, her Mother Bear raised £6,200 for the charity.
She said: “The charity is a really compelling part of these projects. It’s so important to me to get paid work as an artist – but the fact that money is then raised for charity means a lot to me. It really makes it worth it to feel like a real difference will be made with these projects and the work I’m doing.”
The project is very involved – and Jenny has been challenged by the curves on the lions’ bodies – as well as the difficult areas to reach such as the underbelly of the big cats.
Senior Technician Rupert Hammerton-Fraser, who taught Jenny while she studied at BNU, said: “Seeing Jenny back in our studios is a testament to the lifelong connection we build with our students. Her dedication to this 120-hour project for Sheffield Children’s Hospital embodies the spirit of our creative community."
As Jenny puts the finishing touches on her "Guardian Lions," they prepare to leave the Red Shed for the streets of South Yorkshire. While they will soon stand guard over the city of Sheffield, they will always have a piece of High Wycombe in their DNA.
The ‘Pride of Yorkshire’ trail will roar into life across Sheffield and Doncaster from June 2026, culminating in a grand auction in October. To follow Jenny’s journey and see the lions’ final transformation, visit the Pride of Yorkshire website.
