Bronze Couples Sculptures

With my figurative bronze sculptures, the relationship between two humans features foremost. Some of these sculptures clearly depict heterosexual couples (“Couple Side by Side,” “Huddling”); some hint at it lightly (“Big Embrace,” “Etruscan Couple 1 & 2”); and others are either more abstract or intentionally ambiguous in their genders.

I use different styles to describe these couples: realistic or naturalistic; abstract-linear (“Flying Couple,” “Coming Together, Dancing Apart,” “Standing Together”); and a combination of the two (“Walking Forwards”).

With my naturalistic couples, I seek an earthy, affectionate expression, describing everyday couples that are neither “pretty” nor “fashionable” or idealized, but are more natural. These individuals might be a bit small in stature or have bellies rather than follow diets to appear fashionably slim.

With “Large Embrace,” the choice of the original material was influenced by my carving of limestone from Bath; I imagined a couple encased and squashed together in the material. The carving process accounted for the extreme closeness of this couple in a squeezing embrace.

Working towards a public sculpture (“Walking Forwards,” installed in front of Northampton Hospital) and creating smaller clay sketches for it (“Standing Together”) led me to choose a more abstract style. Nudity is often discouraged in public spaces in the UK, and I don’t enjoy sculpting dressed realistic figures. The more abstract style lends itself to expressing universal truths about relationships—mutual support, emotional closeness, empathy—rather than the particulars of specific people.

Speaking of the psychology of relationships, my sculptures describe a whole range of emotions: from passion to tenderness, support, trust, casual togetherness (“being an item”), collaboration, and closeness versus separateness.

Couple Side By Side​ ( 2) 2024

2026-09-28T18:34:30+00:00

This sculpture of a man and woman standing side by side expresses the strength derived from each other when facing life together. Rather than being tenderly involved with each other, we see these people facing life square on, helping each through life’s hurdles and challenges, trusting, and being able to rely on each other .

Couple Side By Side​ ( 2) 20242026-09-28T18:34:30+00:00

Standing Together 2018

2026-09-28T18:34:31+00:00

Originally the figurative sculpture was created as a maquette (=clay sketch) for a hospital sculpture commission; however, it soon took on a life of its own. It depicts the closeness between two human beings - possibly a man and woman , but this is up to the beholder . By leaving away the lower body, the upper body gains in importance , with the two overlarge heads, and the suggestion of two arms. the gesture of the backward figures arm supportively resting on the frontal figure is . The sculpture is much indebted to henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth , with its emphasis on the shared hole , in luminescent turquoise ,between the two figures. It owes much to Plato’s myth ( Aristophanos, in the “Symposium”) of the ever yearning two human beings , both missing something they hope to acquire or find in some one else

Standing Together 20182026-09-28T18:34:31+00:00

Huddling 2006

2026-09-28T18:34:31+00:00

A bronze figure sculpture depicting tender love, the kind of embrace you offer and receive when you seek comfort, reassurance and protection from the world by huddling together. This man and woman know and, trust each other well, they are at ease and have noting to hide from each other.

Huddling 20062026-09-28T18:34:31+00:00

Big Embrace 1995

2026-09-28T18:34:34+00:00

Originally carved from one block of Ancaster lime stone, and later on cast in bronze resin, the sculpture shows and uses expressively the cramped and compressed nature of the medium of stone. As the sculpture is apprehended by walking around it , one will discover the changing , and ambivalence of that close encounter between man and woman: form one side the woman appears protective , and from the other side she looks slightly taken aback ; while the man appears from that same view like a child ( a very large head proportionally), and very much the initiator and the demanding one. The themes are equally sculptural as emotional: strength, support and holding versus flying and levity - gravity and its defiance. The figures are interdependent:they need each other, are mutually self-defining, and experience their identity through one another.

Big Embrace 19952026-09-28T18:34:34+00:00

Coming Together, Dancing Apart 2004

2026-09-28T18:34:35+00:00

Originally carved from one block of Ancaster lime stone, and later on cast in bronze resin, the sculpture shows and uses expressively the cramped and compressed nature of the medium of stone. As the sculpture is apprehended by walking around it , one will discover the changing , and ambivalence of that close encounter between man and woman: form one side the woman appears protective , and from the other side she looks slightly taken aback ; while the man appears from that same view like a child ( a very large head proportionally), and very much the initiator and the demanding one. The themes are equally sculptural as emotional: strength, support and holding versus flying and levity - gravity and its defiance. The figures are interdependent:they need each other, are mutually self-defining, and experience their identity through one another.

Coming Together, Dancing Apart 20042026-09-28T18:34:35+00:00

Etruscan Couple 1, 2005

2026-09-28T18:34:41+00:00

This piece is inspired by the Etruscan funerary sculptures of couples half lying at dinner, engrossed in deep conversation. I emphasise the bond between man and woman by the all-round oval shape formed by their intertwined arms, and the inclination of their heads.

Etruscan Couple 1, 20052026-09-28T18:34:41+00:00

Etruscan Couple2, 2006

2026-09-28T18:34:41+00:00

This Man and Woman are more concerned with their relationship, rather than looking out into the world; they glance at each other for mutual recognition and reassurance, and commune with each other without words.Though I emphasise their equal size, status and similar nature, they are looking for a subtle form of leadership within their bond. They are not looking at each other, but out into the world, sharing a similar view. The empty spaces formed between their bodies and heads ("negative spaces” as described in art-jargon) remind me to the importance of space and distance to allow for closeness between human beings The themes are equally sculptural as emotional: strength, support and holding versus flying and levity - gravity and its defiance. The figures are interdependent:they need each other, are mutually self-defining, and experience their identity through one another.

Etruscan Couple2, 20062026-09-28T18:34:41+00:00

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