Artist rejects large-scale sculpture for modest works

The latest exhibition to open at The Ropewalk arts centre in Barton upon Humber is by sculptor Philip Burman. Entitled A Field Guide to Depression in Britain and Europe, the display of new 3D work which opens tomorrow includes 20 sculptures.

The sculptor gained early success as a student at the Winchester School of Art with his inclusion in an Arts Council touring exhibition of contemporary sculptors including Eduardo Paolozzi.

But he soon became disillusioned with the size and scale of sculpture for public spaces and galleries prevalent in that period and became more interested in making work with some relevance to ordinary people’s lives and their domestic environment.

The titles of the pieces, made predominately in painted and stainless steel including Worry not and Grief floats too, are somewhat tongue-in-cheek, according to exhibitions officer Richard Hatfield.

He said: “The ideas and titles of Phil’s work may reference dark themes but they are underlined with humour and wit.”

Work by the artist, who lives in Wootton in North Lincolnshire, is held in private collections in Europe, America and Australia.

The exhibition will run until April 25.