Welcome to Chris’ world of creations, enjoy looking around. He has always loved making sculptures inspired by nature, incorporating recycled metal where possible.
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Forms Creating Striking Sculpture
Welcome to Chris’ world of creations, enjoy looking around. He has always loved making sculptures inspired by nature, incorporating recycled metal where possible.
Choose from the categories below of a range of sculptures in different finishes.
I’ve wanted to contribute to the massive effort made by the NHS and many other key workers who have done such a brilliant job. I became a volunteer responder but had very few calls for assistance. Thought that I’d be better placed trying to raise some money for charity by making some colourful sculptures, using …
Chris studied at Leicester Poly gaining a BA Hons in jewellery and silversmithing back in 1988. Designed and made jewellery for three years before joining The Steelworks, which gave Chris a wonderful opportunity to weld various designs: desks, wall art lighting and a selection of weird animals, all from the Camden Lock gallery. In 1993, a move to Covent Garden and the creation of Rex the Mouse brought a whole new audience which has kept Chris busy for the best part of twenty five years, with Rex being sent all round the world.
After making so many small Rexes, Chris dipped his toe into much larger garden sculptures, for a change of scene. The success of the first show at Stone Lane Gardens in Devon inspired Chris to create more designs and start up a website. The show also brought interest from galleries and other sculpture exhibitions. Over the next few years, Chris has taken part in a wide range of events across southern England including Hampton Court, RHS Rosemoor and Delmore Arts, while having work on display in several galleries.
Based on natural forms, Chris’ simple interpretation of leaves, buds and flowers in steel, stand out well against a garden backdrop. His designs have 360 degree interest, framing plants and buildings, while the steel surfaces reflect both sky and vegetation. Using either a ‘rustic’ or a flashy shiny stainless finish and sometimes a combination, Chris’ sculptures can suit many situations, indoors or outside.
The making of these sculptures has taken several twists and turns but Chris has settled with mig welding the strips of mild steel to a thick steel rod or rebar, bending and sanding before welding on to a steel plate. Once aged for a few weeks in the garden, the ‘Rustic’ sculptures are finished with a couple of coats of specialist oil for protection. This also gives them a natural darker brown sheen. Some sculptures are mounted on green oak plinths while others are staked directly into the ground, as if they are growing from the soil. These sculptures are suited to various locations in the garden such as under trees, in the lawn or in beds where plants can grow around them. To complete each mounted piece, Chris has saved lead from the roof of his house, cut into square coins and stamped with a CK. These are attached to the sculptures as his signature.
In 2015, the tiny 12ft by 10ft shed was finally replaced with a much larger workshop and gallery at the top of the garden. With the extra space, Chris was now able to make a wider range of designs like gates and ornamental panels.
The last few years have been so busy Chris has cut back on exhibitions and galleries to concentrate on more local events, giving more time to complete commissions and internet orders. Events such as a solo exhibition in ACEarts in Somerton and having work in the beautiful East Lambrook Manor Gardens over the summer months, have been very fruitful. Chris also takes part in Somerset Art Weeks, where local artists either open their workshops to the public or form groups to display work. With his new gallery, Chris has been able to host the past group shows with John Gammans, an impressionist landscape artist. Their work compliments each other so well. The annual art trail takes place in the Autumn.
Living in Martock, Somerset and working from a shed in the garden has allowed Chris to keep up his ethical stance. There is a wonderful selection of businesses locally including a well stocked timber yard, metal works and powder coaters. All are great to work with and put up with Chris looking for scrap or needing a hand with something.
EAST LAMBROOK MANOR GARDEN- SNOWDROP FESTIVAL
1st Feb-27th Feb 2023
SHEPTON MALLET SNOWDROP FESTIVAL
17th & 18th Feb 2023
SHOWBOROUGH HOUSE
Twyning, GL20 6DN. www.showborough.com
4th May to 18th June
KINGHAM LODGE
West Lane, Kingham, OX7 6YL www.sculptureatkinghamlodge.com
20th May to 29th May
FIRCROFT
Albury Heath, Guildford GU5 9DD www.fircroft.info
10th June to 24th June
GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL
21st June to 25th June
EAST LAMBROOK MANOR GARDENS
Summer show
3rd August to 30th September
www.eastlambrook.com
SOMERSET OPEN STUDIOS
16th Sept to 1st Oct 2023
Exhibiting with Ashar. Ashar Art: www.asharart.co.uk
My gallery, garden and studio will be open as usual, 10.30am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tel: 07753 520479 / 01935 827836
ACEarts, Somerton TA11 7NB
Yandles Gallery
Martock TA12 6JU
Open all year, please yet in touch before visiting.
29 North Street, Martock, TA12 6DH