SCULPTURE

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TOM ALLAN

Sculpture in stone has been a passion for thirty-five years – he sees it as an expressive art form, shaping stone to convey emotion, as a painter uses colour and form.

To promote this neglected medium, Tom set up the first regular stone sculpture symposium in Scotland, with events in Stirling, Largs, and Kirkcudbright.

He works and teaches at Glasgow Sculpture Studios, has exhibited all over Britain, and his sculptures are in private collections in Britain, Europe and the Americas. He has public works in Scotland, Serbia, Canada, and Mexico.

tom-allan.co.uk

CAROLE ANDREWS.

"The natural world is my starting point for making sculpture. I am particularly interested in seed dispersal techniques and the underwater world of the coral reef. These interests are reflected in my sculpture which is made of various materials including resins, plastics, roofing felt and stainless steel.

I am an associate of the Royal British Society of Sculptors and my work is widely exhibited around the country and in the USA." Inspiration comes from snorkelling and scuba diving over coral reefs. The rich patchwork of texture and form seen in the reef, together with the diversity of sea life inform and stimulate me. The characteristics of wild and cultivated plants are also starting points for sculpture. Mine is a personal creative journey, uninfluenced by others. I like the paintings of Graham Sutherland and sculpture of Alexander Calder. B.A.(Hons) Fine Art 1994, KIAD, University of Kent. Royal Society of British Sculptors

DAWN BENSON

Dawn is a sculptor and painter, well known throughout the UK and beyond, exhibiting in galleries nationally and has work in collections all over the world. Born in Canada and brought up just outside London, Dawn now lives in Oxfordshire. Dawn produces stylised, figurative sculptures in bronze, which she initially models in clay, plaster or wax. She works on an intimate, ‘tabletop’ scale and also produces large-scale sculptures for outside. Families and relationships are a recurring theme. A mother herself, much of Dawn’s inspiration is drawn from her own experiences, relationships and feelings. Over the last few years she has been exploring the bond between children and horses, and has built up quite a collection and has a great following for these works. Her sculptures capture an element of tension, humour and sensitivity, leaving one with the impression that there is often more than meets the eye.

ADAM BINDER

Adam lives and works in the Cotswolds where the bountiful and diverse environment provides endless resource for his inspiration. One of Britain’s leading wildlife sculptors, Adam has a signature fluid style of simple lines and flowing forms depicting both movement and emotion that beautifully captures the essence of his subjects. Working primarily in Bronze with earthy rich patinas, Adam’s work is recognised and collected all over the world. Adam won the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year in 2010, and was elected a Member of the Society of Wildlife Artists in 2011. ‘Nature is a wonder and a joy to observe, and it is through my sculpture that I endeavour to connect further with wildlife and capture the character of my subject. While I’m sculpting I feel I’m engaging with the spirit of the animal, sensing its subtle movement and suggestion in body language. For me, nature and sculpture are the perfect marriage. I see repetition in form, line, mass and detail throughout the natural world, sculpted over time but in perfect harmony. Conscious of these patterns, the concept for a sculpture becomes active in my mind and only when the composition, balance and emotion is clear do I begin to sculpt. I want to portray the simplicity of form, smooth flowing lines, natural rhythm and in doing so, free the eye to engage in the detail. Nature is my passion and my constant distraction.’

STEVE BLAYLOCK

His work is inspired by the creation which surrounds us all: whether we live, work or play in the country or the city, it is there all around us, the ever present fingerprint of the creator which inspires my sculptural thoughts. From the humble beetle to the majestic oak, my sculptures are of many diverse subjects and sizes, from almost life size dragonflies to 30 foot lizards and owls with 16 foot wingspans and spiders that are big enough to carry you off into my sculptural world. All my sculptures contain or are made entirely from the last of the Sheffield stainless steel ever manufactured in Great Britain. I have enough raw steel in stock to last quite a long time so people buying my work will truly own a piece of this land’s manufacturing heritage.

DOROTHY BROOK

I am always fascinated by pattern and curves found everywhere around me, I aim to present abstracted human forms in the most aesthetically pleasing and harmonious way, playing with the negative spaces as well as the shape itself. I am passionate about dance, theatre and music, which trigger the ideas for my sculptures. The dynamics of a movement or the split second before a twist or turn, play an important part in my work, both in the two and the three dimensional form. I have exhibited in several group shows around the country, and have many sculptures and drawings in private and public collections, including Unilever, in the UK and abroad. In 2001, I had a solo exhibition in Cork Street.  I was short-listed for a sculpture at the Bank of England and was commissioned by Kings College, London to make a sculpture for their award-winning garden. 1969 – 73 St Martins School of Art BA Graphic Design. 1990 - present  Jill Berelowitz sculpture studio  dorothybrooksculpture

DICK BUDDEN

Dick Trained at art college but then freelanced for the film and television industry for many years making sets and props.  He now concentrates more on his own work carving in wood, casting in bronze or resin.  His work is often seen at the Henley Festival as well as in various other gallery exhibitions. Of all the methods of producing sculpture carving is the most demanding.  It requires the ability to envisage, to "see" into a solid block of material in order to remove the unwanted matter.  To do this I use methods of increasing subtlety - from chainsaw to nail file.  It is much more difficult to carve than to model. Clay may be "put on" as well as "taken off". Clay is however ideal for small detailed work.  Polystyrene however is ideal for large to very large jobs.  It is light, is easily assembled and carved and can be finished in a variety of ways.  Coating in glass fibre is my favourite for durability although casting into bronze, as with the three Kenneth Armitage pieces being totally permanent. 

FREDERIC CHEVARIN ARBS
Associate of the Royal British Society of sculptors (RBS)
Member of the Oxford Art Society (OAS)

Selected Exhibitions 2011: Cork Street Open exhibition, London. Woburn Abbey, Woburn. Milton Keynes sculpture exhibition organized by the Public Art Trust. Inserted in the Who’s Who for foreign Directors. “A Decade of Sculpture in the Garden” exhibition, University of Leicester, Leicester. “The Word”, Sarum College, Salisbury. St Aldates exhibition with the Oxford Art Society, Oxford. Open studio exhibition forming part of the Artweeks festival, Oxford. Au Quai Dock Gallery. Permanent exhibition in Lisieux. France.

2010:Awarded 3rd prize at Concorso Nazionale di pittura, fotografia & scultura, Bologna. Italy. Interview published by the art magazine Duemila (Matteo Editore), November 2010. Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, RBSA, (scheduled event). On Form 10, Asthall Manor, Burford. Collective exhibition. Turrill Sculpture Garden, Summertown, Oxford.

ROSEMARY COOK.  ASWA

Educated St Felix, Southwold, Suffolk (1962 – 69)  Chichester College, Sussex (1970 – 73) Lincoln College of Art and Design (1985 – 87)  Rosemary Cook works from her studios in Suffolk and Le Marche, Italy. 

Her much loved and distinctive sculptures of dogs and people are initially created in clay then cast in limited editions in either  bronze or  copper resin or as foundry bronzes. Rosemary has a background in conservation thus informing her work today. They are successfully exhibited through out  the United |Kingdom and in Boston, Massachusetts.

She is an associate member of the Society of Women Artists. rosemarycook.co.uk

LIZ DEVEREAUX (dipdes,MCSD,FRSA)

Liz started sculpting in1994 whilst working as an architect in London and running her own design consultancy in Kent. Now semi-retired from architecture, since 2009 she has concentrated on sculpture and writing poetry. Her work draws on many references from African art, the Greek myths to architecture and more recently her own poetry. She explores the figurative and abstract combination of dream and reality. She recently undertook a sculpture course in order to develop a way of combining her poetry writing with sculpted works; to expand those abstract ideas and increase her knowledge of various construction techniques; this is a work in progress.
Liz has had work exhibited at venues in London and Kent. In 1997 she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and took up the banner ‘Art in Architecture’.

GORDON DICKINSON

Gordon is a prolific artist working primarily in 3D /sculpture in both urban and rural environments. Inspiration for his work comes from natural forms – for example the weather, vast rural landscape and sky, flight of birds – but he is equally as excited and inspired by harsh, contemporary industrial materials and surroundings. He explores and plays with people, humour, and form through his thought – provoking short films, and has enjoyed working on educational programmes and commission with children and young people. He exhibits throughout the UK. Visit Gordon at. gordondickinson.co.uk

VEDA HALLOWES

Veda is an established sculptor working almost exclusively in bronze. Veda uses fruits as a metaphor for the female torso with rich and unusual patinas. She was born and brought up in South Africa and has subsequently lived mainly in London.  Her work has been enriched by the experience of living and working in South Africa, Peru, Hong Kong and Pakistan. ‘I enjoy producing fruits, with their sensuous forms and beautiful patinas, but my primary interest has moved on, to wall pieces, which give another dimension to my work. In this way, I can 'paint with bronze', creating magical shapes from bronze which has been poured on the floor for me. This is then cut and welded to make forms reminiscent of the shapes one sees in clouds or migrations of birds.’  Founder of Kaleidoscope Arts 1993: well established sculptors involved in many joint ventures, exhibiting  together regularly including sculpture workshops annually at the Affordable Art Fair, London. Ceramics and sculpture teacher since 1979 Annual artist in residence at Bronze Age (Simons Town, South Africa) 2002-2008  Diploma of Further Education Fine and Applied Arts (Ceramics) London vedahallowes.co.uk

LYDIA KARPINSKA. ARBS

Sculptor and portraitist studied at Central St Martins College of Art, with Leonard Boden R.P., and at Wycombe College.  She has completed several public art commissions for Berkshire towns, the most recent being the World War hero, Sir Nicholas Winton, installed at Maidenhead Railway station. "My themes are simple. I search for expression and movement.  I draw my inspiration from my surrounding as well as other sculptors, whom I admire." Her work is in numerous private and public collections and she has exhibited in England and in Europe. She is a member of the Royal British Sculptors, The Surrey Sculpture Society and The Polish Artists of Great Britain.

PETER KING.

Peter hails from Yorkshire. He moved to Hereford in 1996 to study at Hereford College of Art learn the skills of design and metalworking to fulfil his dream of becoming a sculptor. He draws inspiration from the natural world around him and from his travels further afield. February 2007 was spent as an artist in residence at Artspace India in Kolkata, The previous summer he walked 500 miles across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. His bold and dreamy sculptures are designed to interact with the natural sculptural world and promote both peace and inspiration -  and a smile.

NEIL LOSSOCK

I trained as a blacksmith over 20 years ago at the School of Farriery and Blacksmithing in Hereford.  I taught there for a few years whilst establishing my own business, Dragonswood Forge.   I now design and make metal sculpture and garden art at my forge in East Herefordshire.  Everything I sell, I have made myself. I have a special interest in the legend of the dragon, hence the name, Dragonswood.  I have designed and made a wide range of dragons in various sizes, up to around 2 ½ metres tall, some breathing fire, some breathing smoke, and one or two breathing both. Many of my sculptures are based on large, architectural plant forms that I grow myself, such as ferns and teasels. My challenge is to make the forms as fine and life like as possible; I strive for realistic perfection.  I think I’ve succeeded when someone does a double take the first time they see a sculpture, mistaking it for the real thing. 
 I launched my most recent design, a multi-headed artichoke sculpture at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year. I exhibit at the RHS shows at Malvern, Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park each year.   dragonswoodforge.co.uk

OLIVER MELLER

Is an Artist specialising in the creation of intrinsically beautiful works of contemporary wildlife and animal sculpture shaped from natural English stone, in his workspace not far from the picturesque rural village of Wortley. His work is rooted in our relationship with the natural world within the context of the local landscape. Domesticated and Wild animals are used as symbols of this relationship in a contemporary take of our instinctive, and ancient connection with nature. His forms are exaggerated in a way so as to capture the spirit and movement of the animal, be it vigour and strength, or good humoured playfulness. "I am happiest when choosing the right piece of stone and turning it into a creature I can have a conversation with. The work I produce is informed by a detailed understanding of my local animal and wildlife, much of my time is spent photographing and drawing in preparation. My finely honed ability at working stone is in part due to my training spent working and carving with the pristine white Portland limestone in Dorset."

AMA MENEC

My human figurative sculptures reflect a 30-year fascination with our earliest pre-history. I am inspired by Archaic Greek stone sculpture, the marking, corrosion and weathering of artefacts over time, and an appreciation of the fuller female form. I hope to widen the appreciation of archaic sculptures of women by re-interpreting them for the modern world. My natural history sculptures focus primarily on endangered British animals or those that have made a come back. I am passionate about the need for wilderness and the plight of Britain’s endangered animals. I am influenced by early 20th century stone carving, particularly Art Deco, the qualities of line and use of negative spaces, but coupled with the colour only really possible in 3D with ceramics and with patinated bronze. My wall hanging bas reliefs are often inspired by wood cut and lino print composition combined with architectural stone carving techniques. My current work is an exploration of bird life, principally of raptors, in full three dimensions, in ceramic and bronze. I work in partnership with several local bird of prey centres.

MIRANDA MICHELS

I create my sculptures by welding as well as a plethora of other construction techniques.My inspiration comes from a lifetime’s passion for wildlife and horses and the materials allow me to portray the lightness of movement that is their essence. I am constantly discovering new ways of working. I have exhibited in The Kentucky Horse Park, The Jameson Centre  in County Cork and have been a regular exhibitor at Fresh Air, Quenington. I have recently completed commission for clients in Ontario and Colorado, USA. mirandamichels.com

NICOLAS MORETON
 

Brian Sewell has called him "disciplined and uncompromising" and Tim Marlow has referred to him as a "modern master" but aayone who sees his work will immediately understand his passion and love for this medium that lead him to make some emotional and inspiring pieces. Though art school trained the life of a creative artist never stops. Since college he has been invited to become a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, has won the prestigious Brian Mercer International Fellowship and won the Public Choice Award at the National Sculpture Exhibition in 2010.
His work has always centered itself around the themes of fertility and growth with more recent preoccupations reflected through his personal childhood memories. He works in a traditional manner, drawing, maquette making and then carving. Hand tools are paramount in the execution of his ideas believing strongly that feeling the stone in conjunction with its direct working informs and helps drive the idea forward.

He is happy to undertake private and public commissions of which he has just completed a large work for Bellway Homes in the East End of London.

JOHN O’CONNOR
1999/2003 - The Art Academy, London Bridge
2003/2004 - Lorne Mc Kean & Edwin Russell
An exaggeration of the figure is a recurring theme in John’s work. He blends the physical with the emotional. His aim is to acknowledge the internal and complex worlds we all experience. He achieves this expression with honest engagement and reflection. John demonstrates these universal states of mind and emotion through the sculptures he creates. He feels that art is a direct and effective way of connecting with humanity. His works are personal, emotional and poetic, thus leaving a lasting impression on the mind of the viewer.
EXHIBITIONS 2011:
Art in Action, Water Perry Gardens, Oxfordshire
Blenhelm Palace Art Fair, Oxfordshire
Corrina Haslem Arts, Coach House, Buckinghamshire
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London
Afforable Art Fair, Bristol
Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead Heath, London
Expo Gallery, Terminal 5 Heathrow, London
2010: The Minories, Colchester Essex
Chapel Galleries, Chapel, Essex
Art in Action, Oxford
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea
Corina Haslem, Coach House
Art Academy, London
West Cliff On Sea Arts, Essex
COMMISSIONS 2011 EMI Records - Pink Floyd ‘Division Bell’Heads.2010CEOP,Vauxhall,London–‘Heart’ Johnoconnorsculptor.co.uk

GILES PENNY. 

Giles developed his sculptural work from a 2D background having trained in formal painting.  Most of his ideas translate into an abstracted version of the human form.  He conveys emotion and feelings through the visual use of the figure and often portrays an innocent, humorous quality.  Ideas initiated as drawings are often developed into sculpture or vice versa.  His fondest way of working is in relief which, he believes, is halfway between sculpture and drawing. Hardly a year passes without Giles being commissioned for a major public art piece. His work translates well into both major and minor scale. Education: 1978-79: Heatherley School of Fine Art, London 1980: Bournemouth & Poole College of Art 1981-84: Newport College of Art, South Wales gilespenny.co.uk

JENNY PICKFORD

Jenny studied design in forged metal and blacksmithing at Hereford College of Art.  A recent pre-occupation with glass blowing led her to further 3 years’ of study at the International Glass Centre, Dudley.  She now combines blown glass and forged steel in her work, winning awards and seeing her work bought by many private collectors.  In 2010 she was awarded a much coveted scholarship to study under some of the masters of glass making in the USA. In 2011 Jenny’s ‘Dandelion’ was on show at the Goring Hotel, London as part of the backdrop for the Royal wedding celebrations. Jenny breaks the rules of convention. Her determination and strength challenge the heritage of blacksmithing and glass blowing, giving it a feminine and sensual perspective inspired by the spirit of nature. ‘My work is about contrasts as well as contradiction within the natural world, strength versus fragility, beauty versus danger.’ Highly regarded as the United Kingdom's leading female blacksmith artist, Jenny's vision, energy and imagination is boundless. jennypickford.co.uk

MARK REED

Mark is a sculptor working primarily in bronze, forged steel, stainless steel and aluminium. His practice is deeply rooted in themes of nature and the passage of time, and blurs traditional distinctions between craft and fine art as it embraces new technology along with traditional mediums. With a background in biology and engineering, he is intrigued by the mechanics of natural forms and the way they contribute to the aesthetic appearance of a plant or animal. It is with this understanding that in his hands, trees become tables, and natural shapes are harnessed for a function in bronze or forged steel. Mark is interested in intangible structures as well, especially the ways that an individual exists as an element in a hierarchy of collectives. In Life Leaf (2000), a single leaf is the `life giver’, giving energy to the whole tree, yet recycled into the system. Secret Garden Door (2004) signifies the end of winter and rebirth for a tree.  Spoon Bench and Fork came about via his baby son’s progress towards independence.Falling onto Solid Ground, (2006) is an exploration of the chaotic descent through human life, where one feels out of control, pulled this way and that whilst in reality there is calmness and solidity beside you all along. ‘Your work is remarkably skilful and eye-catching and I am not at all surprised that you have been so successful. I could not be more pleased that my Trust helped to start you on your way’  H.R.H. Prince of Wales

HELEN SINCLAIR

Born in 1954 - South Wales BA (Hons) – Sculpture (Wimbledon School of Art). In 1976 Helen exhibits widely in England and Wales including (annually): Chelsea Flower Show since 1990; ‘Artspace’, Henley-on-Thames. Helen has produced many commissions and her work can be found in collections in four continents. ‘Mother and Child’ for churchyard of All Saints, Fulham 2000, Award ‘trophy’ for Shelter Cymru 2003, Circle of Figures for St Mary’s Almshouses, Chichester 2003 Seated Figure for ‘Rhodes 24’, commissioned by Gary Rhodes 2003 amongst others.

MIKE SPELLER

Mike exchanged a successful business career for to train at Chelsea College of Fine Art, determined to follow his ambition to become a sculptor.  He is now well established, working from his studio near Tate Modern, London. Often commissioned to make large scale work for both public and private clients, his largest work to date is a 5 metre high bronze for a new London hospital unit at Newham.  Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland has twelve pieces by Mike and he is currently completing international commissions for Hong Kong and Philadelphia.  ‘Legacy’ stands in Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow airport, commissioned to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Games.  Mike has been selected as an official Olympic artist for the BT ‘Art of Sport’ 2012 Olympic programme. His work draws heavily from his personal experiences, presenting his interpretation of the human condition.  Our environment, families, neighbours and society – all are interlinked and interdependent.  Exploring the balance between conflicting forces and emotions, his work is visually striking, reflecting a passion and enthusiasm for life. spellersculptures.com

OLIVER STRONG

“There is no casting involved in my art.  I enjoy the challenge of heating and shaping a flat piece of metal into a form of beauty, ensuring each sculpture is original and unique.” “At heart I have always been an artist and this passion has been a driving force throughout my life” Years of living in close contact with the ocean, instilled a special love and yearning for anything related to the sea.  A professional artist since 1994, Oliver’s wildlife and contemporary sculptures are sold internationally.  ‘If I can capture in my art some of the grace and vitality of my subject, then I have succeeded.’ oliverstrongsculptures