David Begbie
BACKGROUND
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1955 David Begbie’s earliest memories
and experiences as an artist are at the age of 13. Already
talented, Begbie completed seven years at Art School where
he emerged with a unique sculptural technique and the beginnings of a
new visual language using steelmesh. Since his graduation in 1982
he has worked almost exclusively with the human form, primarily
sculpting in steelmesh but also producing monoprints, etchings, ink and
charcoal drawings mixed-media work and photographs. But it is for
his distinctive steelmesh bodies that Begbie is most renowned.
HIS WORK
The real thrill of Begbie’s work is the experience of seeing it "in the
flesh”, the sculpted bodies are powerful, erotic, tactile, and
intimate. For the viewer the steelmesh material adds intrigue yet
is somehow familiar; when you first experience Begbie’s bodies you are
curious to know how the perfection of form is achieved. On
looking further you become familiar with the properties of the
sculpture - the wiremesh creates a liveliness and sense of movement
that is further enhanced by the use of shadowplay with strategic
lighting.
Begbie’s perception, understanding and imagination is what is
succinctly and economically contained within the confines of the simple
shell which constitutes his sculpture. Look again closely and you see
that there is not even a skin, only a graphic delineation of one.
In relation to the space it occupies, the catalytic effect a Begbie
sculpture has in any setting, given that it has no palpable substance
or surface, is phenomenal. He says of his sculpture “each work is
an entity which has a far greater physical presence than any solid
object could possibly have because it has the power to suggest that it
doesn’t exist.” You have to touch a Begbie to make sure it does.
