CARBON FIBRE SHARK SCULPTURE
15 April 20009.../Alastair Gibson is one of an elite group of sculptors, specialising in works using carbon fibre. He will be debuting a new sculpture entitled ‘Racing Mako’ at next week’s Chelsea Art Fair in London, UK.
The former Formula 1 chief mechanic left the adrenalin fuelled environment of top level motor racing over a year ago to concentrate on his passion for art. His racing career inspires his pieces, which combine his love of marine life and nature with the high tech world of Formula 1.
The Racing Mako is a two and a half metres long shark sculpted with a carbon fibre body and detailed with actual parts from Grand Prix cars. It is Gibson’s most ambitious and impressive piece to date, capturing the power, sleek lines and speed for which the Mako shark is renowned. Uniquely, this sculpture has a specification sheet detailing the origination of each race car part used in the design.
Gibson is represented at this year’s art fair by the Russell Gallery after a very successful debut at the event in 2008. At that time, having just embarked on his new career, Gibson exhibited his first two works and these were both sold by the gallery. For the 2009 fair, Racing Mako has been given a dedicated area off the main hall which will display this unique piece to its best advantage. A smaller work by the artist, Racing Piranha, can be viewed within the Russell Gallery’s area of the fair.
Gibson says of his new work, “The Racing Mako has been a labour of love which presented enormous challenges. I’m pleased with the final piece as it embodies everything I love about this fascinating shark. It’s the fastest shark in the ocean and has a beauty which I think I’ve managed to portray in this work. I’m very pleased to be exhibiting with the Russell Gallery again and hope that the Shark will be well received by both the critics and art collectors.”
Alongside his presence at the Chelsea Art Fair Gibson is exhibiting in his home country, with works being displayed in two of South Africa’s Johannesburg and Cape Town galleries. Having completed his first full year as a professional sculptor Gibson has achieved well-earned success with his new works and commissions.
Looking forward to a busy 2009 Gibson says, “It has been a refreshing change from my previous life in the hectic work of F1 and I’m looking forward to developing my portfolio. I started with aquatics as the material of carbon fibre works so well to capture the fluidity and movement of these creatures. However I’m also looking to develop outside of marine life, but using the qualities of nature within all my work.”
Gibson was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and studied as a balance engineer before moving to the UK to fulfil a boyhood dream of working in motor racing. He progressed from working as a mechanic at Van Dieman on Formula Ford cars through to being Chief Mechanic at the Honda F1 Racing Team until Spring this year. During his time in motorsport he has worked with many top-name drivers including Jenson Button, Jacques Villeneuve, Jean Alesi and Kenny Brack. His sculptures were debuted in 2002 at a Lucky Strike sponsored Tribe Art exhibition at The Boiler House in London.
Detailed information on Gibson’s works can be seen at his website, carbonart45.com.
