Nick Warfield steps into the wild : Calling Upon the Owl
Nick Warfield is a man of many talents; sculptor, installation artist, filmmaker and father of two beautiful daughters.
After studying Fine Arts at the University of Newcastle, Nick discovered his passion for sculpture after moving to Bellingen on the NSW mid north coast, which is renowned for its active and resourceful community.
“I learned a lot from farmers who are incredibly nifty and resourceful by using what they have laying around to make all kinds of things, and I applied that same attitude to my art making,” he said.
Nick has since developed his own distinct style of found object assemblage sculpture, with many works dedicated to exploring the totemic relationship people have with animals.
Nick’s Sculpture at Scenic World creation – Calling Upon the Owl – is true to form, representing a striking Barn Owl crafted entirely from salvaged car bumper bars.
It’s bold, intriguing, and captures the eye of visitors from afar. But as Nick explains, there’s more to his latest masterpiece than bumper bars and bright strokes of colour.
“Calling Upon the Owl also invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and their place in the natural world,” he said.
“We have an instinctual urge to go into the forest, to tune out the hum of modern life and find stillness.
“Calling Upon the Owl symbolises that yearning for stillness by capturing that moment you meet with an Owl’s gaze.”
Nick’s fascination with animals also extends to his Sculpture Otherwise entry, Bell Frog Toll, which explores the delicate nature of the ecological cycle.
Inspired by the Bell Frog population that halted the construction of a tennis court arena in Western Sydney in the lead up to the 2000 Olympics, Bell Frog Toll is a perfect example of found object assemblage in its finest form.
The sculpture is also accompanied by an animation that further explores the story through the relationship of the frog and dragonfly.
Nick’s creations are on display during Sculpture at Scenic World 2018 from April 13 – May 13, including at Sculpture Otherwise held at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
Tickets are now available.
