I am a young emerging British sculpture artist. Throughout what feels like a lifetime of visiting Art galleries and exhibitions it wasn’t until aged 12 I worked on a project with Anthony Gormley, I was one of many volunteers involved in the construction of a large scale Wicker man that was then engulfed in flames much to my dismay. I was from that point on led down a path of art and design. Originally, I wanted to be an architect, that is still a dream for one day. I attended Falmouth University in Cornwall, where I studied Fine Art, whilst also working for Giles Miller Studio, in London on several occasions. This helped to direct me onto a path of sculpture in my final year.
After graduating I decided to do a bit of travelling in Australia for a year and ended up discovering SWELL and interning in 2018. After this I had the opportunity to work with Clayton Blake on a sculptural installation for Sand Safari. In 2019 I exhibited in a group show in the UK and then returned for SWELL to exhibit my first piece, consisting of several solid geometric components constructed out of mirrors. This piece went on to be accepted into Ingenuity at Mullumbimby, giving it two fantastic contrasting landscapes to reflect. Since then I have continued to work with Clayton and hope to continue with my own sculpture practice.
Get to know more about Philip here
2020 SWELL ARTWORK – Anomaly, Philip Darnton
Anomaly –something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
This piece aims to work against some traditional ideas of sculpture, normally concerned with a form that is solid. The internal elements are fragmented in a transient state, almost frozen in time, but with internal movements. The negative space is as or if not more important to the integrity of the piece. Influenced, initially by the anomaly featured in the British television programme Primeval, operating on a boundary where formal sculpture meets and alludes to a science fiction influence.
Come and see for yourself at SWELL Sculpture Festival, Pacific Parade, Currumbin 11-20 September.