Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Ben Dearnley spent much of his life surrounded by music. With his late father having been an organist of St. Pauls Cathedral, he spent his early years exposed to the majesty of music and sculpture of the highest
order. This was a major underlying influence for his work as a sculptor.
"Having spent 22 years working closely with some of the world's top saxophonists, my connections with this form of intuitive expression has given me an unusual
insight for my approach to sculpture, together with a deep love for the masters of the past: Rodin, Michelangelo and Canova. Each of these sculptors has one thing in common - they are all involved with the figure and its expressive nature, truth and
beauty. My practice is focused on the figure and the narrative I wish to create which fuses the traditional materials of the past with the modern world.
My work is focused on the figure: the narrative I wish to create fuses the
traditional materials of the past with the modern world. The way I approach this is to draw the viewer into a personal dialogue with the sculpture by presenting them with a seductive surface of the fragmented figure. This is where the past is
reflected by the choice of material and its particular fragmentation. The position of the sculpture reflects an inner truth, which I am developing within the hidden spaces of the form.
I am working towards the second attention, the
deeper consciousness or spirit. My desire is to produce work that, once seen, stays with the viewer in their mind’s eye, making a connection on a deeper level. The work I produce aims to reflect the nature of complex multi-layered individuals
that make the world go round, thus it is never a single layer that sits on the surface.
The next stage of my work is taking me ever more towards of the classical Greek forms found over 2000 years ago, my study trips to Italy in 2007
have proved invaluable to me and I am indebted to Marco Giannoni and his team, ( Niccola, Fabio, Francesco and of course the amazing Mori ) for their Kindness and patience: Also to Nigel Konstam at the Verrocchio Arts Centre, for his teachings whilst
working there in the spring time. "
Avenue of Champions
5th - 15th June 2009
Supporting Sports Aid
This show features a range of timeless work which honour and celebrate the UK's finest athletes with a view to creating the avenue, for London 2012, in 3 metre high versions carved
from a beautiful marble from the mountains of Carrara.
List of Olympic athletes Ben Dearnley has worked with include:
Mark Foster (Swimming)
Steve Williams (Rowing)
Debbie Flood (Rowing)
Alex O'Connell (Fencing)
Louis Smith (Gymnastics)
Leon Taylor (Diving)
Lee Pearson, MBE, OBE (Dressage)
Ade Adepitan, MBE (Basketball)
Christine Ohuruogu, MBE (Sprinting)
Victoria Pendleton (Cycling)
Watch Debbie Flood's Video Diary
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