|
ANTHONY
SCOTT
Scott was
brought up in tranquil, rural surroundings, and belongs to a generation
who crossed fields, climbed stiles and walked long roads with
grassy centres in order to get to school. He then attended
university in Belfast. After this he completed an MA in ceramics in
Cardiff in 1993. University gave him the confidence to pursue an artistic
career giving him the chance of sourcing particular strengths yet he
feels that he is still only “scratching the surface of my potential. I
foresee larger pieces” . Bronze has been an important development for
him, allowing him to develop more expansive pieces. He still looks to
pursue more human figurative work but on a monumental scale. Nearly all
of the pieces are inspired by Celtic mythology although they are viewed
from the perspective of the animal rather than the human. Scott has been
known to spend the night sleeping in stables and cowsheds to prepare
himself for making a sculpture. Animals play a central role in the
Celtic myths with ancient tales of how animals changed their form and
shape. The Celts believed that the spirit of the world of animals often
impinged on and influenced the human world. Anthony has tried to convey
this in his work. For this reason his chunky equine pieces have been
described as “outstanding”.
When making a sculpture he initially sketches out the idea, the sculpture
is an extension of the sketch. He works quickly, changing, fleshing out
the character of the piece. With each he has a theme or a story which
inspires the form. He attempts to capture the essence of the animal, or
to instil a personality of the individual of the story. Scott seeks to
establish a cohesive three dimensional form, based in the principles of
the aesthetic, and wants to be able to view the piece in the round from
every angle. No matter the size, he wants the form to appear monumental
to entice interest in these wonderful “Irish sagas”, and to capture the
imagination of the viewer to participate in the story.
He is inspired by the work of Marino Marini for the energy he instils
into his fluid bronze forms and for the evolution from his restrained
early pieces to his later work which reflect vitality and life. He also
admires Nicola Hicks for similar reasons but especially for the
understanding of the subject matter and the sheer expressiveness of the
pieces. Not subscribing to any particular movement or style he feels the
work evolves in itself. Each time he attempts to capture a synthesis of
human an animal elements, each a symbol of the personality and says
“though you can’t see a specific human element in the animal, it is
there” . He looks to breathe life into a particular moment to capture a
particular instant.Scott works in the field of ceramic sculpture,
primarily creating animal studies in bronze and ceramic He works in clay,
wax, plaster but all are cast in bronze as it enhances all of the
textures and qualities of the pieces. Through this medium he endeavours
to instil vitality and character into the subjects he portrays, and what
makes his work distinctive is that he incorporates human characteristics
within the animal form. |
|
Education
1988 – 1991 B.A. Hons. (1st Class) University of
Ulster, Belfast
1991 – 1993 M.A. Ceramics, Cardiff, C.I.H.E.
Selected Exhibitions
2005, 2007, 2009 Beaux Arts, Bath, Solo
Exhibition
2008 - 2009
20/21 British Art Fair, Royal College of Arts
2007 - 2009
Art London, Chelsea
London Art Fair, Islington
2006 Beaux Arts, Bath, 25 Year Anniversary
Exhibition
2004 John Martin Gallery, Mayfair, London, Mixed
Exhibition
2003 Royal Ulster Academy, Ireland
2002 RHA Annual Exhibition, Ely Place, Dublin
Solomon Gallery, Christmas Exhibition, Powerscourt, Dublin
2001 Beaux Arts, Bath, New Sculpture Exhibition
R.H.A. Annual Exhibition, Ely Place, Dublin
Lavitt Gallery, Cork
2 Person Exhibition, Solomon Gallery, Powerscourt,
Dublin
2000 R.H.A. Annual Exhibition, Ely Place, Dublin
R.U.A. Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
Sladmore Contemporary, Bruton Place, London
Beaux Arts, Bath, New British Sculpture Exhibition
Case Exhibition, The Lavitt Gallery, Cork
Solomon Gallery, Christmas Exhibition, Powerscourt, Dublin
1999 Solomon Gallery, Powerscourt, Dublin
Beaux Arts, Bath, Sculptors of Fame and Promise
R.U.A. Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
1996 Blackheath Gallery, Blackheath, London
Leading Irish Artists, Lavitt Gallery, Cork
Born Free, Fitch’s Ark, Little Venice, London
1995 Blackheath Gallery, Blackheath, London
1994/5 Crafts, A New Generation, Arts Council Touring Exhibition, N. Ireland
Awards
1997 Craft Council of Ireland Purchase Award at Royal
Dublin Society
Collections
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Basil Blackshaw
Brian Keenan
Lord and Lady Glentoran
The Barbican Centre, London
Alexis Fitzgerald
Sean O’Criadan/Peter Lamb, Dublin
The Ark, Temple Bar,
Dublin
Crafts Council, Ireland
Dame Judi Dench
Daniel Day Lewis
Sir Tony O’Reilly
Barry McGuigan
Rhiannon Craft Design Centre
|
