A SCULPTOR has drawn on his fascination with natural forms and his experience working with young people for his new exhibition.

Since being appointed resident artist at St John’s School in Epping artist Philip Melling has created a range of public art works with pupils, ranging from murals to metal sculptures.

He is currently exhibiting a new collection of his work in Epping High Street at the Alexander Morgan Gallery, as well as in Harlow and Hertfordshire, in which he explores the conflict between elements.

Mr Melling, 41, said: “My work is very much to do with developing and experimenting with the metal.

“I am currently working with steel circles, and am fascinated by the problem of how this inert metal can be sculpted to have the life and movement of the forms in nature.

“Working with pupils has been a big influence and has given me a sense of the different audiences that come to your work and has encouraged me to give it a wider appeal and also work with bolder, more abstract forms.

“My recent creative practice has also influenced the work I do with pupils.

“I recently created an Olympic torch with pupils for a sports event involving local schools using the metal rings I use for my other sculptures, giving the hunk of metal a sense that it is spiralling around.

Mr Melling’s new pieces are already proving popular, and he has recently received commissions from as far afield as Paris, France, and Atlanta in the USA.

He said: “It is great to get such exciting commissions, and I am looking forward to continuing to develop my private and public works.”

Information on Mr Melling’s exhibitions can be found at http://www.philipmelling.co.uk/.