Narromine’s barbed-wire artisan, Greg McIntyre, has been working nine-to-five to finish his latest creation: a life-size replica of country music legend Dolly Parton. 

Standing at 152 centimetres, or five feet flat in Imperial measurements, Dolly has her hand on a striking six-string guitar, also made from barbed wire and painted candy-pink.  

The sculpture has been prepared well ahead of the second Dolly Festival which will be held in Narromine in September. 

The retired boilermaker, 73, said he was inspired to make something in support of the Narromine community, which had rallied around the inaugural festival in 2022. 

“We all need to do our little bit for the community, and I decided to do this just for fun and as another way to support the next festival,” he said. 

Work began on the sculpture several months ago and was only finished within the last six weeks.

One of the challenges in making a life-size replica was getting the body measurements right, Mr McIntyre said. The famed Ms Parton is very petite, slim, and has a well-defined décolletage.  

“A lady in town had a mannequin which I borrowed, and I based Dolly off that. The bust, waist and hip measurements are accurate, I’m told,” he said with a grin. 

The only non-barbed wire elements to the sculpture are Dolly’s face, hands and fingernails, which are made from steel and have been painted.

After completing the sculpture, Mr McIntyre painted Ms Parton’s clothes (blue jeans and a turquoise top), hair and boots. He finished the project with special attention to Dolly’s eyes and brows, a dash of red to Dolly’s fingernails and lips, and attached a belt buckle to her waist. 

ABOVE: Greg McIntyre's Dolly and the other other items he has made for this year's festival. 

Dolly will be displayed in the local hardware store in the lead up to and during the festival, Mr McIntyre said. He has also created several other display items that will be provided to local stores for their shopfronts. Made from bicycle chains and car parts and painted candy-pink, these mounted display items include a butterfly, hearts and a guitar. 

When the festival is over, Dolly will be the latest addition to Mr McIntyre’s sculpture garden at his property south of Narromine, which displays his creative talents.

Several barbed-wire sculptures are already in place, including a life-size Light Horseman astride his horse, Boris the Bull, Mervyn the Merino, a trio of birds called Tom, Dick and Harry, different sized orbs, a Commonwealth Coat of Arms, and an incredibly beautiful giant dragonfly called Doogs. 

Although he doesn’t regard himself as an artist, Mr McIntyre has found a great passion in making beautiful things from barbed wire and other materials from his workshop. It’s a passion he’s happy to share, recently welcoming members of the visiting Trakmaster Caravan Club to view his creations. 

If you’re in Narromine or visiting, keep an eye out downtown for Mr McIntyre’s very striking Dolly sculpture and other items as the festival approaches. 

ABOVE: This is "Dick", one of the trio of barbed-wire birds in Greg McIntyre's sculpture garden.