Preening egret
by Guy Taplin
Material
Bronze; 195.6 x 81.3 x 49.8 cm
Dating
undated
About the artwork
edition 2/6
About the artist
Guy Taplin’s career from a childish fascination for birds to an international acclaimed artist did not proceed in a straight line. He went from serving in the army to several occasional jobs to woodcarving at the park. At London’s Regent’s Park, Taplin observed the water birds and started to carve them but they yielded poorly.
His objects display a simplicity and subtle grace. But additionally to his minimalistic sculptures of single birds, he created also more complex compositions with groups of birds. Taplin collects his material – mostly drift wood and remnants of old boats – near his residence in Wivenhove in the county of Essex. He can be considered as the embodiment of an ecology-minded artist. With the recycling of his material he manages to capture nature’s beauty and nevertheless work sustainable. His sculptures can be found in several important collections all over the world. Some of Taplin’s works exist also in bronze.