"Emerging" Sculpture

Phil Cope is a sculptor living and working in Cambridge, UK. He produces sculptural pieces that are predominantly abstract, however they often take inspiration from the human form and life drawing forms an important part of his process. He takes a modernist approach to design and Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth are significant influences on his work. He works on a small scale, producing pieces that are intended for domestic spaces.

In May 2022, Phil was accepted as a member of ArtCan

In April 2022, Phil was accepted as a member of Cambridge Drawing Society

In November 2021, Phil’s piece 2020/11 was awarded the regional prize for East Anglia at the ING Discerning Eye exhibition, at the Mall Galleries in Central London.

“I am an artist primarily making three dimensional artworks. My work is predominantly abstract and is often inspired by the human form. I like to think of it as hovering at the bounds of representation. I use a number of sources for inspiration, including life drawing, and I am currently interested in figures in motion, in particular dancing; there is a joyous exuberance to being present in a dance studio, and I hope my drawn response with its gestural quality and chance effects reflects this and I am keen to echo this in the sculptural forms I make.

Coming from a history of pure carving of wood, I now work with a variety of materials and techniques, including wood, stone, slate and plaster. I often combine carved components into an assemblage, enjoying the juxtaposition of a variety of textures and colours in the work. Many of the materials I use come with a pre-existing patina and I enjoy the challenge of incorporating this into the final piece.

I use traditional hand held tools when I can, enjoying the tactile nature of the physical process. I take into consideration the ability of tools to make marks on the substrate and these can also be incorporated into the final piece. “