André’s work explores what it is to be human. He introduces us to themes of transformation, change and the passage of time – consistent across his works on paper, sculptures and outdoor commissions. The human figure is the vehicle he uses to explore these themes, with figures often encapsulated in vessels, suggesting journeys or rites of passage from one state of being to another.

Biography

André studied at the Somerset College of Art, Liverpool College of Art, Royal Academy Schools and the Royal College of Art following which he was given the Sainsbury Award for Sculpture.

Early Career

After graduating André was seen as being part of the New Realist movement, his work being shown in commercial and public galleries in the US and Europe alongside several solo London shows.

Andre Wallace’s sculpture shows a total transformation of the observed – into a different medium and on to quite another scale – without for a moment being academic.

Edward Lucie Smith

After several years working for gallery shows André began finding the requirements of the art gallery restrictive in relation to the scale and type of work required, to free himself from these restrictions he started making large out-door work. His first major commission, now regarded as a seminal piece of public art was the ‘The Whisper’ commissioned by Sainsbury’s for a site in London, following a recommendation from Arts Council England. A further edition of ‘The Whisper’ was later commissioned by Milton Keynes Development Corporation.

Wallace worked on large-scale public commissions, creating sculpture for out-door sites, and pursuing his interest in figures animating a particular space. These public sculptures were successful because they acknowledged the importance of the individual, stressing the need for private physical, mental and emotional space within the confines of the outside world. Public and private were seen to be reconciled in images of great calm and quiet joy.

Andrew Lambirth

Mid/Late Career

Over a period of around 15 years André completed over 20 commissions for public and corporate clients across the UK, all the while continuing to exhibit in solo and group shows. Commissions include sculpture sited at Vauxhall Bridge Road London, London Embankment, London Docklands, Wimbledon, Newcastle Quays, Manchester Exchange Quays, University of Wolverhampton, Santa Barbara, Milton Keynes, Telford, and Chepstow to name a few.

Following this extensive period of working on large scale commission André felt the need to recoup and explore different ideas more quickly through drawing, etching and smaller works. He made the decision to shift his focus away from the public realm and back to a studio based practice.

Latterly André has been delving deep in to his exploration of the themes of transformation and the passage of time, though still using the human figure they are now often encapsulated in vessels implying a rite of passage. The materials he uses suggest different states of being – the heaviness, solidity and permanence of iron, bronze and stone to the translucence and ethereal values of resins. André has embarked upon a collaboration with two celebrated musicians/sound artists who wrote and recorded pieces in response to his work.

This collaboration called VOYAGE is an ongoing project that integrates sculpture, works on paper, poetic texts and soundscapes, VOYAGE https://youtu.be/xvrePXX0Dic was first shown at Poole Museum and Galleries.

Teaching

Visiting Lectureships, Art Academy London and Drawing Tutor RCA

Contact

M. +44 (0)7920485669