The Thousands

Ten donors commissioning ten sculptures; no limits or requirements other than that they should be human figures…the story behind Simon Gilby’s latest exhibition, The Syndicate, reads like an artist’s dream. And the work itself? So powerful, both in concept and execution, that you are genuinely left in speechless amazement.

10 life-sized figurative sculptures, crafted by Gilby’s wonderfully skilful hands in materials ranging from steel, to stone and everything in-between, make up this literal body of work. Impressive enough just like this,but even more so when you learn Gilby’s sculptures were made possible by a syndicate of donors.

"Gilby, make us ten sculptures!"

"Ok!"

See? Simple.

The work speaks for itself; it imbues both the strength and fragility of the human body, as well as the variations of form. They impart a sense in the viewer that is at once familiar and detached. It all goes to show just how liberating a bit of trust in the artist can be. 

[(Artist + $) - limitations] x 10 = brilliance