Sam Sherborne - label information

Softening the blow: Stories told with fire and steel

Exhibition by Sam Sherborne, artist blacksmith, Cooper Prize Winner 2023

 “Sculpture Narratives”

Sadler Room, Display Case

 

All images credit: Sam Walker

 

I’m pretty sure that wasn’t there before, 2019

A small, metallic sculpture of a robot-like figure with a rectangular body, two rounded legs, and a spherical head on a flat base. The surface is reflective, giving it a shiny appearance.

When is a lump something to worry about!

 

A unit of humanity, 2018

A metallic sculpture resembling a stylized figure with a round head featuring two circular eye-like shapes, standing on a wide base. The sculpture has a textured surface and is set against a plain background.

This is a unit of storytelling. I use these figures to tell stories.

 

Wounded leader, 2017

A metal sculpture featuring abstract figures on a wooden base. The figures resemble stylized birds with one perched atop an arched structure, set against a textured brick wall background.

The sculpture concerns how those leading the country are often the most damaged having been sent away to boarding school at a young age. We put those in charge who are entitled, incapable of empathy, only loyal to their own kind, brittle (apparently strong but easily snapped) and cut off from their feelings. Our political predicament, with appalling politicians, is more comprehensible to me if I try and understand why they behave as they do.

 

If it wasn’t for my woman, I believe I’d lose my mind, 2022

A whimsical sculpture featuring metallic, abstract figures. The structure includes circular and spiral elements, with raised eyes and facial features, on a rectangular base. The design combines both smooth and textured surfaces.

This title is borrowed from a blues song by Kingfish. The sculpture celebrates my long-term relationship and its mutual support. I like the raw emotional truth of the blues lyrics.

 

 

Argument, 2019

A metal sculpture featuring two abstract human-like figures on a base. The figures have cylindrical bodies with spherical heads. The base has a curved, artistic design with a rustic, metallic finish, set against a gray background.

It’s obvious what this one is about!

 

Awesome wave, 2017

A small, abstract metal sculpture with a curved hook shape and a rounded top piece sits on a flat base against a rust-colored textured background. The sculpture features smooth, minimalist design elements.

This sculpture shows how at one point in the past I was having a series of major life-events. No sooner had one finished than the next would roll in. I found myself crouching, waiting for the next challenge the world was going to throw at me. Awesome wave is also the title of one of my favourite albums by alt-J.

 

Sympathy for the sounding board, 2018

A small, abstract metal sculpture featuring a stylized figure with a textured surface resembling waves or hair. It has exaggerated eyes and stands on a rectangular base, with a curved element in front. The background is a dark, textured fabric.

Feeling sorry for the person who had to listen to my tales of woe!

 

In two minds, 2019

An artistic sculpture made of metal features a U-shaped base with two stylized, humanoid figures facing each other. The figures have bird-like features and are connected to the base, positioned against a textured, dark brown background.

The sculpture plays with the old adage that two minds are better than one when addressing a problem. There is the potential for new perspectives and to challenge previously accepted ideas that have taken on the status of immutable truths. The process can be scary with the ground seeming to move and relates to my experience of 'the talking cure'.

 

Kicked into the long grass, 2020

A small, abstract metal sculpture resembling an animal with a cylindrical body, four round legs, and a head with vertical cylindrical rods on its back, resembling spines. The surface is metallic, and the background is textured.

This sculpture shows how I felt after prostate surgery, sitting in bed for a few weeks, feeling physically uncomfortable and largely forgotten by the world. My phone was broken, and the local NHS healthcare professionals were beginning to be faced with the Covid pandemic. Luckily, Prostate Cancer UK were a lifeline.

 

Sketchbook

An open sketchbook on a wooden surface, showing abstract pencil sketches and handwritten notes across two pages. The drawings consist of lines and shapes, with illegible text scattered around them. The notebook is spiral-bound.

A fairly random choice of page showing some ideas that might end up as sculptures but probably won’t. My best drawing is done very early, sometimes even 4 in the morning, when I feel I have the world to myself. It also helps to have an empty stomach and plenty of coffee. If there is treasure it is more in the idea than the quality of the drawing. The secret for me is to keep the rawness, freshness and spontaneity of the drawing in the metalwork. Ironically you need precision for this!