Icarus Rising VIII Sculpture

I have been a Sculptor for over 30 years. My pieces are created in either plaster or clay and the finished article is then cast in bronze or resin. The bulk of my work has been my private work of various sizes exhibited in galleries in the U.K, Ireland and the USA. Over the years I have also worked on many site specific public works with property companies and other organisations. My public works include the statue of Sir Peter Scott at the Wetlands Centre in Barnes, England and the sculpture of Icarus that was commissioned for the Olympic Village in London 2012. My work, whether it is abstract or realistic, is nearly always based on the human figure and there is usually a story behind every piece. I have always wanted to work from the human form because of the feelings and emotions it conveys. My work has changed enormously over time and has gone through many phases. These phases have been heavily influenced by what was happening in my life. Ideas for new work can come from anywhere. They can come from a piece of flint or bone found while out walking or from a dream, mythology or something briefly half seen while travelling somewhere. Over the last few years I have been excited by the mythological figure of Icarus and have produced a series of ‘Icarus’ pieces. These ideas began when I was learning how to fly (in an Ikarus C42) and I found the combination of man and wings so compelling. I work in clay or plaster because it is fast and I like to get the ideas out quickly. I start with a metal supporting armature and use aluminium wire to produce the rough shape I am after. I like to keep the spontaneity and to get ideas as I work so I rarely produce a sketch of the piece before I start working on it. Most of my finished work is cast in bronze. Light reflects well off the surface and it can be irresistible to touch. I enjoy people wanting to touch the finished work. Casting bronze is complex and time consuming and I try to be involved at each stage of the process. This metal is timeless and has its own fascinating history and, of course, should outlive us all.