Philip Melling   Sculpture, Art and Design 

February 2020 - This Memory Tree has just been installed at Shooting Star House children’s hospice in Hampton. 

The tree was commissioned for the hospice’s memory garden, and will have stars added to it over the coming years which will be engraved with childrens' names who have been so sadly lost.

Making the Memory Tree for Shooting Star House was both challenging and very rewarding. As an artist I always want my sculptures to mean something to people - but to create something like this, and know just how much it will mean to the families who use it to hold memories of their loved ones is a very special thing. I am very proud of the tree as a sculpture and thrilled to have been able to make it for the hospice.

Silver Oak is made from galvanized and painted steel, and has over a hundred acorns made from healing crystal spheres added to it’s branches. These allow parents to place their children’s stars next to crystals they feel represent their loved ones, or crystals with qualities that will help with their grieving.

See more images of ’Silver Oak’ here.

July 2017 - ‘Basilisk XIII’ exhibited for Thurrock At Trail 

I have just installed this ‘Basilisk’ sculpture at The Bell Inn, Horndon on the Hill in Essex.

The sculpture will be exhibited in their sculpture garden as part of Thurrock Art Trail, along with works by artists Jolanta Jagiello, Rowena Wright and Jack Browning. 

This piece has a heavy and aged descriptive in it's form and weathered surface, that reflects the concept of a once molten earth solidifying in layers over the eons.

The sculpture is free standing and measures H 75 x W 143 x D 30cm, not including the stone slab base.

OPENING TIMES

11-11PM MONDAY-SATURDAY, 12-10.30PM SUNDAY

SATURDAY 15TH - SUNDAY 30TH JULY

The Bell Inn - High Rd, Horndon on the Hill, Stanford-le-Hope SS17 8LD

‘Basilisk XIII’ is available while exhibited at an exclusive price as The Bell Inn have kindly waived any commission. 

See this and more ‘Basilisk’ sculptures here.

March 2017 - A number of my sculptures will be showing this week in Luminaire Arts ‘Making an Impact’ exhibition.

My work will be showing along side 4 other very talented artists.

The Private View will be held this Thursday March 2nd at their Belgravia showroom, London.

6pm - 8.30pm.

19 Grosvenor Place, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7HT

RSVP to: ellie@luminairearts.co.uk

Weekend by appointment - 0207 101 5070

November 2016 - New artworks from the Elements Collection, including this sculpture 'Pyre XI'.

Developing the sculpture I concentrated on the process of using repetitive form of material - flat steel bar, to generate concepts and capture the movement of elemental reactions. 

This sculpture describes the explosive reaction when a sudden gust of air makes a flame leap into the air.

Made from hand-formed steel bars, the sculpture has been powder-coated with a stunning chrome finish.

You can find more images of this and similar sculptures here.

October 2016 - My latest sculpture in the ‘City of Angles’ collection moves away from the coarse oxidised walls of it’s predecessors.

The smooth, black surface and radiused corners of the towers lend a distinctly futuristic quality to the piece. The square form of the material creates an authentic skyline while being cut with contrasting angles that steer it away from a sense of reality.

See more images of this sculpture here.

'City of Angles III' is available to purchase from ‘ArtParks’ here.

My newest sculptures are being shown by ESH Gallery at this years ‘Step Art Fair’ in Milan this weekend.

On display will be Pyre, Elements, Djinn and Loop sculptures - all finished with the new ‘Haemetite Skin’ patination technique.

The fair specialises in showing and selling contemorary art, and in particular sculpture, which is rare for art fairs. 

Step Art Fair is open on these dates and times -

Friday 7th October           6pm - 10pm Saturday 8th October     12pm -  8pm Sunday 9th October       12pm - 7pm

Find address and other details here.

August 2016 - I have just installed this memorial arch in my mother’s garden, in memory of my father. 

The arch is made from galvanised steel, forged into the shapes of intertwining branches that represent my father’s love for his garden. 

Steel discs are held within the branches, which represent the souls of loved ones that pass on. Even though my father’s is the only name currently on the arch, other missed family members will be added, and I will one day take a spot myself.

The arch is 2m wide and 2.5m in height, made from steel which has been galvanised and patinated.

See more pictures of the Memorial Arch here

July 2016 - My latest ‘Loop’ sculpture is made from burnished bronze,  commissioned by Fine Art Consultancy for a private client. 

The sculpture is free standing and measures H 620 x L 600 x W 200mm.

The sculpture represents the movement of energy, which can be interpreted in a number of ways - ripples extending outwards across a pool of water, waves of sound reverberating through air and space. Spiritual energy - The Fifth Element, orbital and continuous, movement so fast it appears still.

See more ‘Loop’ sculptures here.

July 2016 - I have made a new collection of Weldvessels, which can be displayed as sculptures, used as vases or as vessels for other objects. 

They are made from steel or stainless steel. The surface textures are carved into the metal, or created using welding techniques.

The subtle colours are added using heat, then the sculptures are finished with a tough clear lacquer.

If you would like to own one or more of these beautiful objects, please contact me at pmelling@btopenworld.com

You can see more Weldvessels here.

May 2016 - This stylised steel tree sculpture was installed at The Embassy Suites Hotel in Newark, USA.

The spiralling form of the trunk is reminiscent of a whirlwind rising up from the ground, a concept that is accentuated with a scattering of leaves on the sculpture’s base.

The sculpture was commissioned by DAC Hospitality, and takes pride of place in one of the hotel’s main public areas.

You can find more pictures of this and other public art pieces here.

April 2016 - My latest ‘ Elements’ wall sculpture was recently commissioned by Luminaire Arts, for installaton in a brand new luxury penthouse in the heart of Fitzrovia, London.

The sculpture was designed to fit within a specific space, and is hand-made from mild steel. The metal has been blackened and wax finished to give a contemporary and authentic look that suits the space beautifully, and reflects the light with a deep lustre.

The penthouse is one of thirteen apartments carefully designed to work in harmony with the unique nature of the architecture, mixing state of the art modern with historic preservation, reflecting the eclectic mix prevalent in the surrounding area.

Not all elements sculptures are this large, you can see other smaller examples here. These sculptures can be designed to fit any size and shape of space, to the client’s requirements.

10th March 2016 - Luminaire Arts are celebrating the launch of their brand new showroom in the heart of London, where they will be showing a diverse collection of work from their established artists and fresh new talent.

I will be showing two new sculptures made specially for the event - Pyre IX (pictured below) and Djinn IX (pictured right), as well as five other sculptures from the Elements collection.

For the occasion, they have two events on the 10th of March: either pop in between 3 – 6 PM for a guided tour over afternoon tea; or join me at the Private View Drinks from 6 to 8:30 PM, I would be delighted to share a drink with you and talk about my work.

You can RSVP on their Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launch-event-showroom-luminaire-arts-tickets-21108935394
If you have any questions or if you would like to RSVP for a larger group, please contact them at enquiries@luminairearts.co.uk or phone [Tel: 07730876086] at your soonest convenience (there is limited space and they expect a high response rate– and we would really love to see you there!).

March 2016 - This short film was filmed at my studio by Matt Harris from Pixelwork. The video gives an insight to the workings of the artist's mind and studio, illustrates my sculpture practice and how I approach designing and making my work.

Click on the video to view!

October 2015 - My latest public art commission 'Ripple Effect' is now installed at The University of Warwick.

The sculpture was unveiled  on October 16th by the University's Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Nigel Thrift, during a ceremony attended by a large group of University benefactors and staff.

The artwork is so named to recognise the fact that donations to the University have a ripple effect; donations from their founding benefactors have impacted the lives of those who have resided with the university over the past 50 years, and, together with current and future benefactors, will continue to have an impact in future generations too.

Made from five polished stainless steel rings, the sculpture has the names of 300 benefactors engraved into it's surface. 

You can find more information and pictures about the project here.

'Ripple Effect' measures H 2060 x W 2000 x D 800mm.

Smaller sculptures of a similar style can be seen on the Loop page.

September 2015 - My current and most prolific public commission to date is in progress.

Commissioned by the University of Warwick, the sculpture will be made from a series of stainless steel rings that represent the 'Ripple Effect', and celebrates the benefactors who have donated to the university over the last 50 years.

The sculpture will be installed soon, and unveiled at 3pm on Friday 16th October 2015.

September 2015 - I have been experimenting with a variety of surface finishes for my sculptures.

This version has been powder-coated a bright chrome. This gives it a modern, contemporary feel, and a look that is quite different from other Basilisk sculptures.

The sculpture is free standing and measures H 300 x L 830 x W 160mm.

You can see this and other Basilisk sculptures on the 'Basilisk' page.

August 2015 - A Djinn is a spirit described in the Quran as a 'scorching wind' - a meeting of air and fire.

This vibrant red sculpture holds within it a polished stainless steel sphere. The sphere represents the soul of the spirit, hovering still within the maelstrom of wirlwind forms -  the eye of the storm.

The sculpture is free standing and measures H 380 x L 180 x W 180mm.

You can see this and other Djinn sculptures on the 'Djinn' page.

June 2015 -This sculpture was recently made for an outdoor exhibition - Alcove Art Alley.

The piece has a heavy and aged discriptive in it's form and weathered surface, that reflects the concept of a once molten earth solidifying in layers over the eons.

The exhibition is held at Barnards Farm Garden from 27th June - 18th July as part of the Thurrock Art Trail 2015. Alcove Art Alley Sculpture Trail is sited on the outside of large sculptures in the main alcoves as part of the 80 sculptures already on site at Barnards Farm Garden including a Thomas Heatherwick and Elisabeth Frink.

The sculpture is free standing and measures    H 750 x W 1430 x D 300, not including the stone slab base.

You can see this and other Basilisk sculptures on the 'Basilisk' page.

May 2015 - I achieved this striking red, gold and black surface colour with a patination recipe I have been developing on solid copper bar.

A chemical solution is brushed onto the metal, then heat is applied with an oxyacetylene torch. Wax is then applied to seal and give a beautiful lustre to the metal surface.

The colour illustrates the concept of fire whilst giving the piece a unique quality that can ony be achieved through hand finishing.

The sculpture is free standing and measures H 300 x W 200 x D 200mm.

You can see this and other Djinn sculptures on the 'Djinn'  page.

April 2015 - 'Loop XV'  is made from solid copper rings. The colouration is created using chemical patination on the metal's surface, then given a wax finish.

The sculpture is free standing and  measures H 630 x W 600 x D 200mm.

You can see this and other Loop sculptures on the 'Loop'  page.

March 2015 - The second piece in my latest collection 'City of Angles' . Made from rusted angle iron, the sculpture represents how simple 2-d geometric patterns can be extruded into 3-d architecturally styled sculptures.

The sculpture is free standing and measures    H 435 x W 200 x D 70.

You can see this and other City of Angles sculptures on the 'City of Angles' page.

October 2014 - I have made a number of smaller Loop table sculptures, with varying finishes.

'Loop XIV' is made from polished stainless steel, I have added patterns created using heat on the metal's surface, then finished with a gloss lacquer.

The sculpture is suited for display on a table or plinth and  measures H 405 x W 395 x D 160mm.

You can see this and other Loop sculptures on the 'Loop'  page.

May 2014 - City of Angles is my first sculpture that uses angle iron to provoke thoughts of mental chaos and order, through archetecturally styled structures.

The sculpture is made in three sections, that can be separated and placed in a number of ways, allowing different patterns of structure to be created.

The sculpture is made from weathered steel and is free standing, measuring H 450 x L 600 x W 300.

You can see this and other pictures of the sculpture on the 'City of Angles' page.

March 2014 - After a number of commisions for larger 'Loop' sculptures, I was pleased to make this latest edion somewhat smaller.

Dimensions are H 460 x W 450 x D 200mm, a more suitable size for my clent's home.

An industrial variation is added with the use of recycled machine cutting blades, and  a contemporary edge with the use of red enamel paint.

You can see this and other Loop sculptures on the 'Loop' page.

January 2014 - As part of their visit to the 'High House Production Park', HRH Prince Charles and HRH Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall visited me in my workshop.

We chatted about my work and studio, and I got a chance to show off some my sculptures, along with the processes I use to make them.

You can find more photographs and information on  the Royal visit here.

October 2013 - My latest weldvessels have been oxidized to give a rusted surface.

I have then cut designs into them to show a flowing movement reminiscent of a biomass of fish, or a host of leaves being taken through the air by a powerful wind.

The contrast between the scored steel and the oxidized surface is really beautiful - a real pleasure to work on.

I have used a tough lacquer to seal the pieces, which darkens the oxidized surface whilst highlighting the bright steel.

They are my largest Weldvessels yet, standing at H 580 x D 170mm.

You can find these and many different Weldvessels on the 'Weldvessels' page.

They are available to buy at Union Grantham.

September 2013 - This version has been powder-coated a bright red. This gives it a modern, contemporary feel, whilst eccentuating the fire theme of Djinn sculptures.

A Djinn is a spirit described in the Quran as a 'scorching wind' - a meeting of air and fire.

The sculpture is free standing and measures H 330 x L 300 x W 250mm.

You can see this and other Basilisk sculptures on the 'Djinn' page.