Edward Cronshaw
Encyclopedia
Edward Cronshaw is an English sculptor
who has in recent years championed a method of achieving form which inclines toward a practical utility of organic structure. Finding much modern sculpture too rigid in its form, too purposefully decorative and overly resistant to natural influences, Cronshaw works exclusively in natural materials—wood, stone, fruit, bone—and casts them in bronze. His work, although usually representative of a particular theme or subject, attempts to maintain a notable level of sensitivity to the innate characteristics of the original material.
, but raised on the family ranch in the rural Pendle district, a family home of such antiquity that a local hill even bears the same name, (Cronshaw's Seat). The ranch was sold in 1997 although Cronshaw no longer lived there at that time. At present he lives in the West Riding
town of Todmorden
with his wife and two children and has spent the greater number of his recent years living in the Calderdale
metropolitan district that contains Todmorden. His career as a sculptor first took off whilst living in the town of Hebden Bridge
.
Blackburn was Cronshaw's childhood home and was also the place he first encountered the art world, studying a foundation course at Blackburn College. From there he went on to the Leeds school of art and finished his BA at St. Martins School of Art in 1984.
In the years 1985 to 1986, Cronshaw successfully studied for an MA in fine art at the Royal College of Art
.
Perhaps the two most important events in launching his career into that of an internationally recognised artist were the commissions won by Cronshaw to create sculptures for Liverpool
City Council and for the Boots PLC head office in Nottingham
. The latter was a 20ft statue of the earth goddess Gaia, Gaia's body clothed in 3,000 succulent plants intended to suggest the transitory nature of life. The statue was cast by means of the ancient lost wax method at Cronshaw's studio/foundry at the Dean Clough complex in Halifax
, Calderdale.
The sculpture created for Liverpool City Council was named 'The Great Escape' by Cronshaw, and has become one of the city's most popular sculptures. Indeed, the "Horse's Balls" have become something of a legendary point of reference amongst the student community of Liverpool with people often using the object of this soubriquet as a meeting place. The Great Escape was quite a task for Cronshaw, coming at a time when his foundry was still far from capable of dealing with a sculpture of such mammoth proportions, but the money won to create the sculpture slowly led to the improvement of the facilities so that he was eventually able to complete the sculpture almost entirely by himself. The sculpture is a bronze cast of a horse, 15ft high and 4 tons in weight, formed entirely from rope in a spaghetti fashion. At the horses tail a piece of rope extends to the ground where a life-size sculpture of a man steps upon the rope forcing the horse to rear and apparently unravel itself in a bid for freedom. This scene is intended to reflect man's efforts to free himself of slavery, Liverpool formerly being one of the chief ports in Great Britain supporting ships which supplied the slave trade in America.
Currently Cronshaw is continuing to work on his popular Midas Project of bronze succulent plants, as well as initiating a campaign to improve the environment of his adopted home of Todmorden by placing sculptures in and around the town centre.
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
who has in recent years championed a method of achieving form which inclines toward a practical utility of organic structure. Finding much modern sculpture too rigid in its form, too purposefully decorative and overly resistant to natural influences, Cronshaw works exclusively in natural materials—wood, stone, fruit, bone—and casts them in bronze. His work, although usually representative of a particular theme or subject, attempts to maintain a notable level of sensitivity to the innate characteristics of the original material.
Beginnings
Cronshaw was born near the town of Blackburn in the heart of industrial LancashireLancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, but raised on the family ranch in the rural Pendle district, a family home of such antiquity that a local hill even bears the same name, (Cronshaw's Seat). The ranch was sold in 1997 although Cronshaw no longer lived there at that time. At present he lives in the West Riding
West Riding
West Riding could refer to:Areas:*West Riding of Yorkshire, England*West Riding of Lindsey in Lincolnshire, England*West Riding of County Cork, Ireland*West Riding of County Galway, IrelandTransport companies:*West Riding Automobile Company...
town of Todmorden
Todmorden
Todmorden is a market town and civil parish, located 17 miles from Manchester, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England. It forms part of the Upper Calder Valley and has a total population of 14,941....
with his wife and two children and has spent the greater number of his recent years living in the Calderdale
Calderdale
The Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale is a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England, through which the upper part of the River Calder flows, and from which it takes its name...
metropolitan district that contains Todmorden. His career as a sculptor first took off whilst living in the town of Hebden Bridge
Hebden Bridge
Hebden Bridge is a market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England. It forms part of the Upper Calder Valley and lies 8 miles west of Halifax and 14 miles north east of Rochdale, at the confluence of the River Calder and the River Hebden .A 2004 profile of...
.
Blackburn was Cronshaw's childhood home and was also the place he first encountered the art world, studying a foundation course at Blackburn College. From there he went on to the Leeds school of art and finished his BA at St. Martins School of Art in 1984.
In the years 1985 to 1986, Cronshaw successfully studied for an MA in fine art at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
.
Exhibitions and major works
Cronshaw's work has been displayed at many prestigious galleries and exhibitions including the Rebecca Hossack gallery (London), the Caz gallery (Los Angeles), the Henry Moore Gallery (Leeds), the Royal Academy Summer Show, the Los Angeles International Contemporary Art Fair, the Liverpool Garden Festival and the Third World and Beyond International Art Fair in Sicily.Perhaps the two most important events in launching his career into that of an internationally recognised artist were the commissions won by Cronshaw to create sculptures for Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
City Council and for the Boots PLC head office in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
. The latter was a 20ft statue of the earth goddess Gaia, Gaia's body clothed in 3,000 succulent plants intended to suggest the transitory nature of life. The statue was cast by means of the ancient lost wax method at Cronshaw's studio/foundry at the Dean Clough complex in Halifax
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
, Calderdale.
The sculpture created for Liverpool City Council was named 'The Great Escape' by Cronshaw, and has become one of the city's most popular sculptures. Indeed, the "Horse's Balls" have become something of a legendary point of reference amongst the student community of Liverpool with people often using the object of this soubriquet as a meeting place. The Great Escape was quite a task for Cronshaw, coming at a time when his foundry was still far from capable of dealing with a sculpture of such mammoth proportions, but the money won to create the sculpture slowly led to the improvement of the facilities so that he was eventually able to complete the sculpture almost entirely by himself. The sculpture is a bronze cast of a horse, 15ft high and 4 tons in weight, formed entirely from rope in a spaghetti fashion. At the horses tail a piece of rope extends to the ground where a life-size sculpture of a man steps upon the rope forcing the horse to rear and apparently unravel itself in a bid for freedom. This scene is intended to reflect man's efforts to free himself of slavery, Liverpool formerly being one of the chief ports in Great Britain supporting ships which supplied the slave trade in America.
Currently Cronshaw is continuing to work on his popular Midas Project of bronze succulent plants, as well as initiating a campaign to improve the environment of his adopted home of Todmorden by placing sculptures in and around the town centre.