Anarchy: Modern Man

When one gazes upon Tom Price’s sculptures, which are intrigued by the use of traditional materials placed in a contemporary cultural and conceptual significance, one sees a paradoxical state of mind that is familiarly seen in modern society. Accentuated by his sculpture’s intense body language and facial expressions casted in stark ebony, Tom’s commentary on modern society through sculpting a spirit bound by the rules of ancient systems exhibiting the results of modernisation is sharp and succinct.

Tom Price, Network, 2012, Bronze, 93.5 x 40 x 40 cm. Image courtesy of the Artist and Hales Gallery, London. Copyright of the Artist.

His 9-foot tall bronze sculpture, Network, depicts the inner turmoil of a modern man. It shows the silhouette of a young man in casual attire. Standing relaxed, he appears to be looking at his phone, though his facial expression reflects a far more complex internal narrative.

Tom Price, The Ground You Walk On, 2013, Bronze, 71 x 65 x 85 cm. Image courtesy of the Artist and Hales Gallery, London. Copyright of the Artist.

Referencing a small Italian bronze of Samson and the Philistine believed to be by Baccio Bandinelli (1488‐1560) is his first multi‐figure piece, The Ground You Walk On. Taking inspiration from ‘nightlife’, the sculpture captures a typical ‘scene’ and portrays two isolated male figures enveloped in human interactions – familiarly seen outside clubs and bars.

The aforementioned pieces can be seen at Tom’s second solo exhibition at Hales Gallery entitled “Ancient Systems” from 6 September till 12 October, 2013.