Phil Price
Hoop, 2013,
Carbon fibre, epoxy, metals, precision bearings,
5950 x 2000 x 2000mm
Vibrant yellow, the circular form of 'Hoop' dances with the slightest touch of wind. It's gentle sweeping movement is captivating; rising and falling, moving away from the bladed works we see in New Angel. Acting as a frame through which we can see the sun, the sky and the land the work is poised on, Hoop also recalls a larger-than-life abstracted flower, its organic shape reimagining the rhythms of natural landscape. Large forms such as this work are further left amenable to the elegant or violent movements encouraged by the wind. Wherever they are placed, Price’s sculptures inhabit eye-catching positions in their environment; their ability to capture and hold your attention with their revolving movement is inevitable.
The sinuous nature of Hoop is a result of his technical, design making process, in which moulds and highly engineered sketches are envisioned to create a feeling of continuous joints, a flow to the linearity of the piece. His natural fascination for his technical practice, an intuitive understanding of the interactions of material and engineering feats result in an impressionable, powerful moving sculpture. The futuristic form and child-like candy colours of the sculpture work together with the dignified geometric dance of his kinetic practice. Price’s works can be found across the globe, in hostile coastal environments to the middle of the urban city- designed to endure even the most extreme natural unfoldings of weather and temperature.
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Artist Bio
Born in Nelson in 1965, Phil Price was educated in Christchurch and specialised in sculpture at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts, graduating in 1990. He worked initially as an artist’s technical assistant and then in a variety of positions in the art world, in education and in composite engineering. Price's sculptures have a reputation for their unique and innovative use of contemporary materials and processes.
Since 2000 New Zealand born Phil Price has focused on wind activated kinetic sculpture. He is regarded as the foremost kinetic sculptor of his generation, with his work being widely acknowledged for its breath taking beauty, evocation of the natural world, and extraordinary design.
His use of carbon fibre composite construction is unparalleled in regards the synergy he is able to achieve between form and kinetic functionality. The sculptures evolve from the artist’s intimate drawings and concepts, through to computer generated digital renderings and animations, to fully realised sculptures.
Price’s insistence on keeping all of the creative and construction elements in house allows him to experiment and explore within his own sanctuary, and ensure absolute quality control. His natural fascination with and intuitive feel for materials, processes, and engineering delivers what can only be described as extraordinary moving objects.
Designed to withstand extremes of climate and temperature, the sculptures have been successfully installed everywhere from fierce coastal situations to busy urban environments and everywhere in between.
Phil Price has created major international public and private projects including Cytoplasm Auckland Viaduct basin; Tree of Life, McClelland Gallery Victoria; Nucleus, Hamilton Victoria; Snake, Aarhus Denmark. His work is held in numerous collections internationally, including Austria, Holland, Switzerland, the U.S.A, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.In 2008 a major exhibition of new works toured New Zealand and internationally. Price lives and works between Lyttleton, New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia.
