Nick Bibby SWLA

Statement

Nick’s sculptures are always exquisitely observed, rich with almost imperceptible subtleties.

His talent, skill, experience and lifelong commitment and dedication to his craft, clearly visible in every piece he sculpts.

The ‘Bibby’ sculptural style, whilst very definitely figurative, is highly varied, sometimes impressionistic, sometimes almost obsessively detailed, but always full of life and energy. 

Fascinated by movement, implied movement, form and detail, Nick sculpts with a confidence and skill that fluidly combines vivacious energy with jewel-like attention to detail, resulting in instantly recognisable works of art. In Nick’s eyes, all his subjects are enthralling, beautiful, precious and full of wonder, and through his sculptures, he strives to encapsulate that vision for all to see and enjoy.

Methodology

When commencing a sculpture, Nick first researches his subject in enormous detail, collecting copious reference along the way, preferably from life. He then creates a supporting metal armature, often closely matching the skeleton of his subject. He rarely makes working drawings - having researched his subject, Nick likes to build up a fluid mental image of the finished sculpture; a mutable, three-dimensional design, with no need for two dimensional working drawings that would only have to be translated back into three dimensions to produce the final artwork.

Gradually adding clay or wax to the supporting armature, Nick quickly builds up the form, paying close attention to anatomy, composition and pose, making constant, ever more subtle, adjustments as he works, always striving for that final, ‘perfect’, aesthetic balance between realism and art.

Nick’s pieces are always sculpted with the end goal of being cast into Bronze (or occasionally, Silver) in small limited editions, using the traditional, “Lost Wax” method of casting. Nick has a near 30-year working relationship with Pangolin Editions Foundry, in Chalford, Gloucestershire, who continue to cast all his pieces.

Bio

May 1960: Born in Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham

1973: Sold 1st Artworks (Small Wildlife Watercolours)

 

1975-78: Began working as a Freelance Miniature Figurines Sculptor for Asgard Miniatures (whilst studying for ‘O’ & ‘A’ levels).

 

1979-82: Chief Sculptor, co-owner, Asgard Miniatures, Nottingham

 

1982-88: Full-time, Freelance Sculptor for Citadel Miniatures & Games Workshop in the UK, Bridge SA, France, and Ral Partha in the USA

 

1988-1994: London-based, Freelance Sculptor for TV & Advertising

 

1991: Sculpted 1st Wildlife Bronzes

 

1993: 1st Solo Exhibition of Bronze Wildlife Sculpture

 

1979-Present: Full-time Sculptor

 

About us

A visual arts charity since 1961

Join our mailing list

Receive the latest updates and announcements

Art Consultancy

Our Art Consultancy specialises in commissioning and curating fine art.

Find Out More

Venue Hire

Located in Central London, Mall Galleries offers over 450sqm of dedicated space, perfect for your next exhibition or event.

Find Out More

Connect with us