A leading portrait sculptor, Robert Strickland undertakes private and corporate commissions, bronze busts, garden features, figurative or portrait sculptures that make perfect heirlooms for the home, garden or office or special anniversaries. Educated at Ampleforth, Robert initially trained as a Chartered Accountant Robert and pursued an international business career before returning to his first love, the arts - in his mid-forties. He trained at the Heatherley School of Art in Chelsea, London and now lives between Bath and Malta. As a part time sculptor he undertakes portrait and figurative sculpture commissions both in the UK and overseas. His work has been exhibited in Cork Street, London and also in Bath, Harrogate and Kendal and has been purchased by collectors around the globe.

Among those he has sculpted are Edward de Bono, Air Chief Marshall Sir John Barraclough, The Baron of Bachuil, The Countess of Dundonald, and Andrew Brownsword.

Robert, who is of Anglo-Maltese descent (and whose great grandfather was Lord Strickland, Prime Minister of Malta), takes his inspiration from his models, be they captains of industry or life models. He has a rare talent for exploring and interpreting the characteristics and traits of the individual in front of him. His figurative sculptures are created using his deep understanding of anatomy and form. The results are evident in his work as he demonstrates his own interpretation of energy, inner spirit and character. Robert will never render a photographic sculpture of his sitter, preferring to rely on his own perception of what makes that person tick. His bronze portrait busts, particularly, capture the spirit of the individual, be it wisdom, age, grace or intelligence  or a mixture of all the individual's qualities.

Robert works initially in clay, leaving the vital and real traces of his sculptor's marks on the way, giving each piece its dynamic energy. Robert is always at pains to ensure that these lively elements are never lost in the bronze casting process; to achieve this he works closely and painstakingly with his foundries to achieve the highest standards in casting and patination.

Robert has sculpted a dramatic new portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson, based on his life mask, which has been enthusiastically received by the media. The first edition of this life-size bronze portrait bust can be seen in the Royal Naval Dockyards at HMS Nelson, Portsmouth and the second cast of one of the world's greatest naval hero's was gifted to the Malta Maritime Museum in part by the sculptor, together with a number of Maltese sponsors that include Gasan Mamo Insurance, the Farsons Foundation, Curmi & Partners, Delicata Wines and the Phoenicia Hotel. Robert has produced pieces in bronze resin, stone, wood, plaster and ciment fondu, but works principally in bronze.

Most of his works are unique pieces, but his figurative non-commissioned bronze and bronze resin sculptures are produced in limited editions of 7 or 9 pieces. Robert is happy to undertake portrait, full-length figures and other sculpture commissions for private clients and corporate businesses. Currently, he is working on a series of larger outside garden bronzes for the UK's National Trust and others.

ROBERT STRICKLAND SCULPTURE

EXHIBITIONS 1997-2011

1997          Heatherley School of Art, Summer Exhibition, London

1997          Oddfellows Galleries, Kendal and Harrogate

1999          Bloxham Galleries, Clapham, London

2003-8      Widcombe Studios Annual Exhibitions, Bath

2004-10    Bath Artists Studio (Open Studios Events) Bath

2005-10    Widcombe Art Trail &Open Studios in Bath, Sculptures, Paintings & Photographs

2005          Royal Geographical Society, Kensington, London, joint exhibition with Gridnev

 2005         Beehive Centre, joint exhibition with David Hampton

2005          Robert Strickland Bronzes, Solo Exhibition, Gallery 27, Cork Street, London

2006          Manor House, West Compton, Glastonbury as part of Somerset Arts Week

2007          Robert Strickland Bronzes at Pushkin House, Russian Cultural Society, London

2007-8       Anthony Woodd Gallery, Edinburgh

2008          Solo Exhibition at Widcombe Studios, Bath - Sculptures & Photographs

2009          Contented Vine Gallery, Pimlico, London - joint exhibition with Mick Dean

2010          Polo Ralph Lauren Flagship Store, Bond Street, London

2010          Robert Strickland Bronzes - solo exhibition at Malta Maritime Museum, Malta

2011          Lily Agius Gallery, Sliema, Malta