James Lake

Sculpture

Commissions

Latest Commissions

Click on one of the images for more details on each project.

PASCCAL – ‘BodyParts’ Art exhibition July 2019

Previous Commissions

Hands – Liberty Festival, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, August 2014

32 cardboard hand sculptures using BSL finger spelling. The two rows of hands spell the words ‘Strength’ and ‘Equality’ to embody the spirit of the Paralympic games.
Each hand is 3ft high and fixed to a wooden base. I was supported by artist Leon Cauchois in the construction and installation.

Butler Commission – May 2014, Gotham Hotel, Manchester

A life-size cardboard figurative sculpture in the style of a 1920s hotel butler.
This piece was commissioned for the opening of the new Hotel Gotham in Manchester.
The finish incorporates elements that were covered in the hotel’s own newspaper.

Bellboy Commission – May 2014, Gotham Hotel, Manchester

A life-size cardboard figurative sculpture in the style of a 1920s hotel bellboy, including the cardboard luggage and accessories.
This piece was commissioned for the opening of the new Hotel Gotham in Manchester.
The finish incorporates elements that were covered in the hotel’s own newspaper.

Gold Run 2012-2013

Collaborative project with Pallant House Gallery, Outside In, CGP London, Dilston Grove, Carousel, David Rushbrook (Opera Singer), Glyndebourne Opera House and London based artist Richard Wilson.

Gold Run: Remix represents the journey through disability and considers the transition from a group to an individual identity. It’s the journey through disability, which is present in sport and its cultural and sporting significance.

Photographs by Andy Hood 2012

The project consists of two sculptures. A large scale portrait of the opera singer David Rushbrook and a lifesize running figure. Both works are created using cardboard.

Running Figure

I had to design an installation that could be disassembled and reconstructed in different environments but retain the essence of the scale and the dramatic nature.’ The running track doesn’t have an end point. ‘What’s next’ was at the back of my mind when I was making it.

The running figure started as one flat sheet of cardboard, and I built it outwards. I had already answered the aesthetic questions so it was just a case of fitting one piece of card into another until I arrived at the finished produced, which was a sculpture engaging to look at from different angles.

‘When you look at the work closely, you can see the hard work and perseverance that’s transformed that cardboard into this structural piece. The back has a grid-like manufacture architectural quality to it, and there are golden sections inside the back.’

David Rushbrook

I created a six-foot high sculpture of disabled opera singer David Rushbrook’s head. The sculpture played a lead role alongside a disabled choir and a live band during performances at Glyndebourne Opera House, Chichester Festival Theatre and Brighton Festival in 2012.

Testimonials

Our Year 11 Art & Ceramics students were absolutely fascinated by James’ techniques and were utterly absorbed in his workshop. The day began with an introduction from James, and then a quick look at some of his incredible sculptures. The pupils started by assembling a detailed anatomical 3D cardboard skull, using templates provided by James. This tested the pupils’ ability to accurately follow instructions and problem-solving skills in equal measure. Following this each pupil developed his own, more personal response, building up the form through creating layered and textured areas of cardboard on the surface of the sculpture. Our pupil representative said “This process taught me to leave my comfort zone in my artwork; it was the radically different technique that showed me there are many ways to express yourself through art. I found James’s patient and helpful approach extremely useful as it gave me confidence to ask him questions, and accept it is OK to make mistakes! It was a brilliant day for all of us.” We are very impressed with James’ rapport with the pupils, his resources and his planning. We are thrilled with the outcomes and hope to have him back next year. James is a pleasure to work with.

Kate Weber, HOD Art, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School

BUCKFASTLEIGH 3D AMERICAN TOTEM POLES - JAMES LAKE “The project provided the children with experience of making sculpture related to our topic North America. The children were completely engaged and enthused for the entire day. All the children took exceptional pride in their work and were desperate to get it finished. James is brilliant to work with, incredibly well prepared, hard working and flexible. He is also very inspirational and the children loved him.”

Lowenna Sharpe (teacher) from Buckfastleigh Primary School

National Paralympic Day and Liberty Festival 2016 ‘Thanks so much for taking part in such a successful National Paralympic Day and Liberty Festival 2016, and all the work you put in to making it such a joyful celebration of performance and art in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.’

Rosanna – Liberty Festival

Delamere Arts Day with ‘Moorvision’ 2016 ‘I just wanted to say a huge thank you again for a wonderful day yesterday. The families had such a fantastic time, and the work produced was amazing’

Jane Ring – Arts Day Co-ordinator