simon hempsell
Mediums Used
Simon Hempsell designs and creates beautiful contemporary garden sculptures and garden art for gardens in the UK and around the world.
His passion for long flowing curves and the influences of the `less is more` approach can be seen throughout his work. Originally coming from the `Steel City` of Sheffield its natural that his work is created from steel and stainless steel.
Simon`s happy to undertake private, corporate and public commissions and really enjoys the two way process when working with clients.
Pieces are curvaceous, charmingly simple, some are almost two dimensional while others are more 3-dimensional and use a mix of materials.
which probably reflects my training as a graphic designer and my beliefs in the ‘less is more’ approach. Most of my sculptures are crafted from sheet steel and stainless steel. I particularly like the rich warm hues that you get with the more natural rusted finish with pieces being left to oxidise naturally, a process that highlights the intrinsic beauty of the material as the finish evolves with time.
Sculptures by simon hempsell
Credentials
Qualifications
Graphics and Photography, Sheffield Polytechnic
Membership of the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers
BA Hons Graphic Design,Graphics and Photography, Sheffield Polytechnic
Membership of the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers
BA Hons Graphic DesignExhibitions
yes
Born in Yorkshire Simon studied graphics and photography at Sheffield Polytechnic, moving to the south coast in the 90’s, working for many years as a designer and commercial photographer. Using illustrative techniques learnt during his time as a designer, Simon designed sculptural concepts purely for pleasure, wanting something to enhance his own garden. It was one of my design clients form the art world that recently encouraged me to pursue my ideas, turning concepts into reality.
Pieces are curvaceous, charmingly simple, almost two dimensional, which probably reflects his training as a graphic designer and his beliefs in the ‘less is more’ approach. Most of his sculptures are crafted from sheet steel and stainless steel. He particularly likes the rich warm hues that you get with the more natural rusted finish with pieces being left to oxidise naturally, a process that highlights the intrinsic beauty of the material as the finish evolves with time. Recently Simon has been exploring more contemporary, 3-dimensional designs using a mix of materials, his Tulip design is a shinning example of his more contemporary thiking
Simon`s at home working with steel and engineering processes and love`s integrating the latest technology when creating new work. It’s something that’s probably in his blood having grown up near Sheffield, spending his early years tinkering in his grandfather’s engineering workshop and working summer holidays in the steel works whilst studying in Sheffield. Simon still make frequent visits back to his roots, an area he has a great affection for, and makes use of the local trades in the area wherever possible when creating work.
I’m lucky being invited to exhibit and install my work at some fantastic venues throughout the year and undertake commissions for clients both across the UK and a little farther a field. Please do drop me a note if you would like more details of my work or have ideas of your own.
Influences come from the natural world as well as sculptors, Barbara Hepworth and Architect Zaha Hadid, their work featuring the long flowing curves that Simon loves so much.