Receiving the £10,000 bursary is essential for significantly advancing my artistic practice at this juncture enabling deeper creative exploration and the confident pursuit of more ambitious projects.
My main aims for this comprehensive activity are clear: to acquire advanced technical skills in large-scale bronze casting and mould-making; to gain invaluable insights from leading artists and curators on executing significant institutional and public art projects; to strategically expand my professional network to include key figures in sculpture and installation art; and to effectively integrate new materials and techniques into my practice, thereby enhancing its depth and complexity.
This development period, directly supported by the bursary, will provide a robust understanding of the intricate processes involved in creating monumental works. This will empower me to confidently propose and secure public commissions. It will also foster crucial relationships with key artists and professionals, offering ongoing guidance and collaborative opportunities. As a direct result, my practice will be profoundly enriched, granting me both the technical expertise to realize monumental works and the strategic confidence to pursue and achieve large-scale commissions.
The Dover Prize bursary would directly fund an ambitious 12-month programme of training, mentoring, and networking. Core activities include: three mentoring sessions with Lucy Tomlins (Director, Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre), providing invaluable guidance on navigating large-scale projects. A 1-week research trip to Cornwall will facilitate studio visits with acclaimed artists Amy and Oliver Thomas-Irvine, and Ro Robertson, offering comprehensive insights into integrating new materials and fostering vital networking. A 1-week research trip to Leeds will allow me to visit the Henry Moore Institute (HMI) to explore Moore’s bronze casting archives and meet Dr. Clare Nadal (Assistant Curator, HMI), informing my historical focus. I will also conduct a visit to the ‘Bronze Cast’ foundry in Ormskirk, Lancashire, to learn about their facilities and connect with director Stephen Charnock, building an important industry relationship. Finally, dedicated studio time will allow me to immediately apply the skills and knowledge acquired, translating theory into tangible artistic output, enabling me to scale up my pieces and bridge ancient and modern narratives through innovative sculpture.
Understanding the Dover Prize Fund’s roots in Darlington I am keen to share my experience and knowledge directly with the local community. I could conduct a workshop, perhaps focusing on the process of transforming found materials into art or discussing the historical research that underpins my work. This would provide local people with practical skills and insights into a professional artistic practice, and foster a deeper engagement with art-making. My experience in establishing my own foundry, which serves as a vital creative resource in Suffolk, coupled with my recent participation in a major public art trail in London, equips me to offer valuable, tangible guidance. By bringing my developed practice and expanded professional network to Darlington, I can contribute to elevating the area’s artistic discourse and inspiring a new generation of creatives.
I am a Suffolk-based Sculptor whose practice delves into the connections between history, nature, and identity through evocative sculptural forms. Inspired by sculptors such as Constantin Brancusi, Bernard Meadows, Franz West, Clive Sheppard, Joan Miró, Lynn Chadwick, and Germaine Richier, I discovered my passion for bronze casting at a young age. My passion for fine art casting was ignited at 16 when I cast my first bronze sculpture a Suffolk foundry. This experience fundamentally connected me to artistic form and process, leading me to study fine art at the Norwich School of Art & Design. After graduating in 2004, I moved to London, working at Sotheby’s while maintaining a studio with ACME to pursue my sculpture. In 2016, I returned to Suffolk and established my own foundry, fully realising my artistic vision in bronze. Driven by interest in our relationship with the past and the social landscapes we inhabit, I often incorporate materials sourced directly from my local environment. My process, which combines 3D modelling, collaging, weaving, and binding organic matter with wax before transforming it into bronze, creates sculptures with rich, tactile surfaces and a powerful sense of place. My often abstracted human figures are imbued with striking kinetic vitality, appearing both grounded and in motion. My work thoughtfully explores themes of personal and collective heritage, the experiences of the modern diaspora, and the enduring influence of our ancestors. My most notable recent work, ‘Stele,’ exemplifies this approach. This 8ft tall figurative sculpture, inspired by ancient standing stones and created using advanced 3D printing, over the summer of 2024 ‘Stele’ was displayed on Exhibition Road outside South Kensington Tube Station as part of the Kensington + Chelsea public art trail. This exhibition, supported by Cadogan and the Royal Borough of Kensington + Chelsea, marks a significant milestone. I have also exhibited publicly in solo and group shows nationally, including with Sotheby’s, OHSH Central, and Thompson’s Gallery London. With sculptures held in collections internationally and featured in public exhibitions, my practice offers a thoughtful and resonant contribution to contemporary sculpture.
Yes, I studied Fine Art at NUA (Norwich University of the Arts) in 2000, where I gained a comprehensive understanding of artistic principles and practices, laying the foundation for my career as a sculptor
2016: Sotheby’s. Awarded highly commended by
Maarten Tenholder, Managing Director, Sotheby’s Europe.
2014: Summer exhibition, Sotheby’s. Awarded for outstanding work by Henry Wyndham, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe.
2002: Wingfield Barns, Suffolk. Received highly commended award
Yes, I am deeply involved in organising self-created professional opportunities. After leaving London in 2016 to pursue my practice, I established my personal studio and concurrently built my own foundry in Suffolk. This foundry has grown to become a vital creative resource not only for my own work but also for the local and wider artistic community, serving as a hub for bronze casting and sculptural experimentation. Furthermore, I served as the Chairman of Clockhouse Art Association, a charity dedicated to providing affordable studios for artists in Suffolk in addition I organised group exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations providing experience to younger artists. This role directly reflects my commitment to fostering artistic practice and providing essential facilities and support for other artists in the region.
Yes, my artwork has been significantly featured on prominent online curated platforms. My sculpture, ‘Stele’, was a key highlight of the Kensington + Chelsea Art Week’s public art trail, receiving dedicated features on platforms such as a-n.co.uk and kcaw.co.uk/behindthescenes. These articles detailed the inspiration behind ‘Stele’, noting its connection to ancient standing stones and Stonehenge, and explained its creation process utilizing 3D scans and advanced 3D printing technology to form a figurative sculpture. My participation in this major art event was also covered by the London Daily News and Gillie and Marc’s blog. These features contributed to raising my artistic profile and public engagement with my work.
Yes, I am represented by Thompson’s, Open Eye Gallery, Gallery East, Rutland Gallery and Sculpt Gallery
participated in a recognised residency at Butley Mills Studios in 2000. During this valuable experience, I received significant mentorship and guidance from the acclaimed British sculptor Laurence Edwards. This direct engagement provided foundational insights and technical understanding, particularly in bronze casting, which profoundly shaped the early development of my artistic practice.
Email: gus@gusfarnes.co.uk
Address: Watering end, Snape watering, Saxmundham, IP17 1QS, GB
Local Authority: Suffolk County Council
