My work has been dominated by natural materials and a background as an architect and engineer. The need to draw in 3D led naturally to the user of gas welding which permitted the fast linear enclosure of space. Early work was figurative and abstract. An interest in plant forms and seed pods became the subject of my first one-person exhibition in Cork Street, London where many of the sculptures incorporated natural crystals.
The evolution of my work using worked and polished steel led to the development of 'bone forms' incorporating area and volume. This became the them of my second one-person Cork Street exhibition. A period of time followed in which I developed the process of 'lost wax' casting.
Current work brings together the disciplines of engineering and natural forces which have resulted in a series of bronze and slate sculptures held in compression. This concept has continued to be explored in physical paintings inspired by my travels around the world looking at geological formations. These have the underlying concept of geological tectonics where the 'up-welling' magma is represented by the inserts of bronze, copper and slate.
Forces of nature with materials hewn by erosion are then worked by man coming together in the later sculptures which use sea-eroded timbers, bronze and slate. Paintings continue to be developed from the rock formations found on my recent travels. The early natural colours with bronze and slate embedded in the fracture of the painting surface have erupted into hot reds in later work.
(Not dated - likely around 2007)
Geology
Geology is the fundamental essence that shapes our lives.
The distribution of the earths land masses have been shaped by tectonic plate drift to structure our continents. These land masses and mountains have been influential in determining country boundaries and the ethnic peoples who inhabit them.
Over millions of years the natural weathering of rock and climate have determined the nature of the earth's surface. The soils, plant and animal life that can thrive there have dictated the ability of the earth to support human activity from farming, building materials, and the extraction of its oil and mineral resources. So mans survival and use of land are directly related to this shaping.
The erosion by ice, sun, sea, wind and rain or mans activity on rock formations whether igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic have created fantastic imagery in colour and form.
This awesome continuous environmental change is of paramount importance today so geology is a fitting subject to inspire my art.
PB
(not dated - likely around 2005-07)
