David Mayne - Sculptor

David Mayne is a sculptor of national repute with work in both public and private collections throughout the UK.

His richly textured steel animal sculptures are the result of hour upon hour of welding and grinding the surface as he explores his subject’s unique qualities to create beautiful pieces that capture the movement and essence of a particular creature.

Mayne’s other areas of exploration include the use of repeated or multiple images to create classic vessel forms. The simple animals that make up these forms clearly reflect his interest in cave painting and primitive Art, and the use of repetition and industrial materials brings a contemporary aesthetic to ancient ideas.

These vessel sculptures have been exhibited and sold at various exhibitions and sculpture parks including Newby Hall, North Yorkshire and the Hillier Gardens in Hampshire. One of Mayne’s first ever vessels stands in grounds laid out by the gardener Derry Watkins and her architect husband Peter Clegg at their home and business Special Plants.

When he is not working on exhibitions and private commissions, Mayne continues his practice as a sculptor working in the public realm, creating landmark features for local authorities, visitor centres, large scale PLCs and health trusts. Clients include Carilion Civil Engineering, Taylor Wimpey, British Waterways and the sustainable transport charity Sustrans

What inspires you in your art?

My work is inspired by very simple concepts: Form, colour, pattern and texture. Sometimes these forms depict animals, sometimes they are of vessels or trees.

What medium do you work in?

I have worked in steel for over 20 years –  creating pieces that are made through hours of welding. Steel is a fantastic material that is perfect for both indoor and outdoor sculpture and my work is often left to oxidize building up rich natural colours and texture that gets better as time goes by. 

What are you looking forward to at Make it Up North?

Looking forward to meeting a new audience and seeing other inspiring work

What work are you showing at the event?

Large outdoor sculptures and smaller more intimate indoor work.

Have you any exciting news to share?

I don’t get much time to produce my own studio pieces because I spend a great deal of time working on large monumental public art projects. Make it up North has to fit in with 2 current projects – one to create a 4m high Yorkshire Rose for Leeds university and the second to build a new sculpture for the Marks and Spencer archive building, also in Leeds.  As this is my home town its fantastic to be able to get the opportunity to make public work for the city.

Name your favourite quote/or philosophy to life?

“If its hard work and your legs hurt, it must be uphill” Jen Voight, pro cyclist

If money was no object what piece of work would you create? 

If money was no object I’d rather give it away to somebody who really needs it instead of making a sculpture.