Sam Sherborne - Stamps
“Stamps, die and sinker”
All images credit: Sam Walker
Door panel stamp
This tool has a stamp on each end and is for making two different sizes of door panel to make the door in the 'Hot Water' sculpture. The 6 panelled door was typical of my parents' large, once grand, ramshackle house in the 1960's.
Greyhound stamp
The design of this greyhound stamp is inspired by a ceramic tiled relief on the front of the Greyhound pub in Attercliffe, not far from my forge. It features in the sculpture 'Under the Influence' and 'Living the Dream', both in this exhibition, and in some others that aren't, such as ' How Much Work is Too Much.' It means different things in different sculptures but generally means exertion of one kind or another.
Plantain leaf stamp
This is a stamp of a plantain leaf and was used in ‘Staying Alive'. I find weeds inspiring for their toughness and resilience. Ironically, at my school, as a child, being called a ‘weed' was a term of abuse implying that you were weak or emotional.
Mobile phone keypad stamp
This is a stamp of a mobile phone keypad as used in the sculpture 'Phonehead'. The sculpture was previously known as 'Cognisant or Vegetative' and addresses the dehumanising effect of modern technology.
Dandelion leaf stamp
This dandelion leaf stamp was used in 'Staying Alive' alongside the plantain leaf stamp, both examples of plants thought of as weeds.
Dunstanburgh Castle stamp
The Dunstanburgh Castle stamp is used in 'The Glimpse' and sets the scene as Embleton Bay. It represents the passing of time, the dangers of vaulting ambition, and impermanence.
Seven heads stamp
This stamp makes the outline shape of seven heads in a row (fairly evenly spaced). The eyeballs are added with a punch after the stamping. It has been used in 'Staying Alive' and 'The Glimpse' and is inspired by Tibetan art that uses rows of skulls to decorate statue cabinets and other furniture.
Dandelion stamp
The dandelion stamp is used in 'Staying Alive' to create a background frieze.
Running person stamp
The running person stamp is used in 'Debate on Ward F' and in 'Run for it' (not in the exhibition) and is used to portray a desperate, frightening situation that needs drastic and decisive action to resolve.
Welding shrink sinker
Sometimes I make a tool at each end of the shaft. This has the fish stamp at the other end. This tool is called a sinker because it is sunk, or hammered, into a block of hot steel to make a drop-forging die. In this case, the die to be made would produce a welding screen shape, similar to the one in ‘Self-portrait' and in the Gas Explosion Memorial at Sussex Street, Sheffield S4.
Angel stamp
This stamp is made to create a recess to inlay the brass angel, as in 'Staying Alive'.
Clouds stamp
The clouds stamp is used in 'The Glimpse' and shows the long, well demarcated clouds typical of Embleton Bay, that stretch over the North Sea and along the massive beach.
Self-portrait stamp
The self-portrait stamp features in quite a few sculptures, including 'Earthly Delights' and 'Goes Forth'. It is sometimes merely used as a way of signing the sculpture, but on other occasions it is a key image to the story the sculpture is telling. The stamp started sharp and well defined, but has flattened and blunted with use, and this has had a lot use, being one of my first stamps. The way the stamp has evolved with time seems to mirror the way I have aged, and it has kept abreast serendipitously with my aging appearance.
Oar drop-forging die
This is not a stamp, which produces a negative imprint, but a die, which produces a shape that is positive, or stands out from the surface. Hot metal is hit into it to create the oar head, whereas a stamp is hit into the metal. The oar is symbolic for me of having agency, strength and initiative and is inspired by my days as a rower.
Curlew stamp
The curlew stamp was made for ‘The Glimpse'. The inspiration came from my experience of running along the beach at Embleton Bay at dawn. Having swum in the November sea, full to the brim with endorphins, I heard the other-worldly cry of the curlew. It flew alongside me. It seemed to be saying, Follow me to something outside the ordinary and ethereal’. The curved beak, eye and distinctive legs were put on with punches after the stamping.
Meltdown stamp
The Meltdown stamp took a long time to make. I didn't mind as I found it a constructive way of processing the bleak experience of things not going to plan. So far, thankfully, I have only needed to use it once, in 'Talking Frame'.
Virginia stamp
This stamp has been used multiple times, such as in 'Goes Forth', and is a portrait stamp of my wife, Virginia.
Fish stamp
The fish stamp has been used in 'Self Portrait' and 'Ritual depletion'. I have kept fish since I was about 10. A friend's mother had a spare tank, and she kindly helped me set it up. I now have a fishpond. The fish need constant attention and focus, and I often wonder why I bother. They are never far from my mind and, like many of the best activities in life, arguably completely pointless.