"WHEN I HEAT METAL TO CHERRY-RED, THE MATERIAL SEEMS TO TELL ME HOW IT WANTS TO BE SHAPED, HOW IT WANTS TO EVOLVE"

News and Events

Philip French has been commissioned to display his works at Kingston Lacy House. Several pieces, some of which can be seen in the gallery, are currently on display and will be available for viewing until 20th September 2009.

His large garden sculptures are being displayed alongside exhibitions from the well known local artists Jo Burchell and Clare Trenchard.

He will also be displaying pieces in the 'fairy grotto'.

Philip French - Artweld

Philip's love of metals and metal working began with what he describes as "a classical apprenticeship", spending many hours working alongside a master artisan working and reworking basic shapes until he began to truly feel the metal. He recalls that his first major project was an ornamental gate. Philip spent many hours with the metal, hoping to produce a work that would bring pride to his Master. Taking one look at the thought-finished product Philip's Master scornfully destroyed the piece and demanded it be made again. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, Philip has deep appreciation for Stephen, who taught him true aestheticism.

The next few years were spent honing skills and learning new ones such as Tungsten Gas (TIG) welding. Over time Philip's work was becoming more and more specialised; less a job of work and more an art. From copper downpipes for churches, one off handrails for yachts, school plaques and ornate balconies, to stainless steel sculptured pieces. The studio workshop in Portsmouth, Hampshire, enables him to give full rein to designing and building sculptures in metal. Although he still takes on simpler projects his main focus is on artistic design.

Philip works with in all the mediums of metal, from iron and steel, aluminium and copper, through to stainless steel.

A True Artisan

All the pieces are for sale and a sample collection can be found on the gallery page. If, however, you have something specific in mind, we can work from an idea, a photograph, a scetch, a line drawing or a series of line drawings.

Complicated pieces may require one of more line drawings, until you decide that we have what you require.

We offer a premium service. Photographs of the work in progress are presented to you, and photographs, line drawinig(s) and the final working drawing, framed and signed by the artist, provide history and provenance for your piece. This service will be included in all quotations and all pieces, including limited editions, come with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.

Please understand that all pieces are hand-made and hand-finished, which makes each piece individual, including the limited edition pieces. Bespoke pieces, made to commission, may differ slightly from the working drawings as these are hand-made sculptures, not cast pieces and we exercise artistic license.

We love artistic challenge, so whatever you fancy, be it a desk ornament, a wall plaque, a fancy staircase or a garden sculpture, we'll help you design it and give you something to admire and treasure forever.

What Next?

You may have noticed that there is no email address on this site. This is because we are a bit old fashioned and believe that personal contact is needed to give you the personal service that we pride ourselves on. Please feel free to call us if you have any enquiries or an idea. We are happy to talk things through and welcome the oportunity for a chat.

We are happy, friendly and truthful and we really do aim to please.

Whether you live locally or are just passing through, please feel free to pop in and browse. We will be delighted to see you.