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For over thirty years as professional Sculptor Ian has been commissioned to create a wide variety of sculptures for both Private and Corporate clients, along with over one hundred and thirty unique sculptures for the British Royal Household. These commissions have included creating sculptures for over one hundred Knights, three British Prime Ministers, twenty-seven British and European Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, Earls, Lords and an Emperor.

 

 

                  

 

 

During 2018/19 there was a two-year waiting period for Ian’s private commissions. The commissions being worked on for both private collections and the Royal Household during this period were created both large and small in marble/resin, wood and bronze included sculptures depicting the Human form, to a pair of Horses. An Eagle in flight to a pair of Kingfishers. Sculptures of an Otter and an Elephant, to a large bas-relief carving of the Royal Arms. Sculptures of a Dog, Tawny Owl and a Knight in full Armour, along with producing the bejewel and gilded Crowns for two European Kings. 

 

     

 

The wide contrast of Ian’s work ranges from highly detailed naturalistic one-off wood, silver and bronze sculptures including totally unique wood carvings like the carved replica of Lord Nelson’s Flagship HMS Victory 'Running before the Wind' carved entirely from the Ships original century’s old solid oak timbers, which took Ian almost two decades to create in oak.  To the ‘Mute Swan - Global Warming’ sculpture which took Mother Nature less than two hours to create in wax.

 

 

     

 

 

Ian’s half-life size resin ‘Mute Swan ‘master copy’ took two weeks to replicate in soft green casting wax, which was then inadvertently left in his glass surrounded workshop on what later turned out to be the hottest ever recorded day in England, which rather unsurprisingly took Mother Nature less than two hours to create the wax ‘Global Warming’ sculpture, greatly assisted during the past four plus decades and counting, by some of mankind’s tireless and relentless efforts to exasperate this whole sorry process; The Elephant in the Room.

 

On the Brink’ - bronze 2021 

        

During the past three decades these commissions have also varied from an eight feet high Bald eagle in flight carved from within the trunk of a massive Lime tree for a Company’s board room; to carving from within a centuries old Sequoia log, the Globe sculpture for a Corporation's reception area. A Company Logo and Crest from white marble and resin for the Grand Lobby of Cunard’s Queen Victoria’s and then for over thirty years, creating over one hundred thirty unique sculptures for the British Royal Household.

 

 

     

 

 

These commissions over the years are also as diverse as one day putting the finishing touches to a Crown for a Queen, to the next carving a Stag for a Prime Minister. To then deliver both sculptures to Windsor Castle to be placed on display in St George's Chapel in time for the Garter Service attended by HM The Queen and other members of the Royal family and invited guests.

 

 

       

 

The Crest and Crowns for King Harold V1 of Norway – Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands -Emperor Akihito of Japan – King Felipe of Spain and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands 

 

 

Ian’s sculptures have been placed in many diverse places including Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, The Royal College of Arms, Museums, Government Buildings, Company Receptions, Board Rooms, Churches, The United Grand Lodge of England, HMS Victory, Cunard Ships, Public Spaces and both Stately and Private Homes all over the World.

 

Sculptor Ian G Brennan has exhibited his work in such diverse venues; from Art Galleries to Museums. During 1990 the Museum Service in England toured a large collection of Ian’s sculptures as a ‘one man’ exhibition to various museums throughout the year.

 

Ian has also given Talks and Presentations displaying his work from the Queens room aboard the QE2, to Burlington House; Home of the Royal Academy of Arts. From St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle to the Dungeons beneath the Castle. Since 1992 Ian has been invited each year, accompanied by his family as guests, to give a number of Talks and Presentations on board the QE2 and the three latest Cunard Queens.

 

 

     

Theatre Queen Elizabeth – Queens room-QE2 – St George's Chapel-Windsor – Dungeons- Windsor Castle.

 

 

Examples of Ian’s sculptures have also been created for television programs and can be found on books and magazine covers and also on a set of Royal Mail Postage Stamps featuring Windsor Castle issued in 2017.

 

 

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Although there are a number of examples of Ian’s more recent sculptures on this website the majority of the sculptures shown here are his early work, with many of his commissions for private and corporate clients and particularly those for the Royal Household have not been included.

 

However, contemporary sculptor.com still gives a good idea of the typical style and detail that sculptor and woodcarver Ian G Brennan has created for over three decades.

 

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The ‘Upcycled Sculpture' Collection.

 

 

Ian began exhibiting his then often life size realistic wildlife sculptures in both wood and bronze in various Museums and Art Galleries in the UK. However, after a decade of  exhibiting his sculptures in various Art Galleries and Museums his commission kept him so busy particularly those regular commissions from the Royal Household, so in 1997 Ian’s stopped exhibiting his sculptures in art galleries with his last exhibition held at the Mall Gallery in London in 1997.

 

 

 

 

HMS Victory ‘Running before the Wind’ - Made from genuine HMS Victory oak.

 

 

 

 

Since then Ian has somehow found the time to put together a unique collection of over twenty unique sculptures which has been created incorporating original objects and materials he has collected over the decades from historic British cultural and heritage Icons such as Windsor Castle, Southwick House, (where DD in WW2 was planned) HMS Victory, The Royal Yacht Britannia, The Cutty Sark, a J Class Yacht, a Rolls Royce, a 1940’s Supermarine Spitfire and a British Dinosaur bone fossil from the Jurassic period.

 

 

 

The Upcycled Sculptures - ‘Spirit of Britons’ sculpture collection include:

 

‘The Victory Sculpture’ –- ‘One of the Few’ – ‘Fire in the Hall’ – ‘- ‘A View from the Redoubtable’ - Cutty Sark- Running before the Wind’ 1&2  -‘Britannia’ – ‘Homeward Bound’ -  ‘Spirit of Britons’ - ‘First Reserve’ – ‘'The Family Seat’ - National Game’ - Nelson’s Pillow – ‘Crown Jewels for the Iron Lady’ –‘Spirit of Britons’ – ‘Loose Cannon’ – ‘Goblets for a Gun Crew’ -– ‘Source of Victory’ – ‘St George from the Chapel’ 'Back in Time' –……. plus.

 

‘One of Few’ was created from combining original material from two of the most iconic British Weapons of War. Nelson’s Flagship HMS Victory and a Supermarine Spitfire.  An armoured laminated glass windscreen from a damaged 1940’s Spitfire has been set in a frame made from original Victory oak.

 

‘Fire in the Hall’ An original wooden shield for a 17th century Knight of the Garter was removed from St George’s Hall after the Great Fire at Windsor Castle in 1992.

 

‘A View from the Redoubtable’ (to be finished) is currently being carved from within a section of HMS Victory’s hull’s oak framing.

 

Amongst a number of objects severely damaged in the ‘Great fire at Windsor Castle In 2019 was these remains of mediaeval oak beams, once at the very heart of the fire within the Royal apartments in Windsor Castle.

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Almost a thousand-year-old oak roof timber removed from the burnt out remains of St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle and created from within the beam is an image of its namesake; St George slaying the Dragon.

 

From just a few centuries old oak timbers removed from the lower gun deck of HMS Victory during Nelson’s Flagships restoration program contained the hull, sails and rigging of a 1:57 scale replica of Victory; also waiting to be released into the modern world.

 

 

 It was once said by Michelangelo with marble but is the same for wood. The sculpture was always inside the marble, it simply required releasing by the artist’

 

 

 

With   everything   on   line   in   a   digital   world,   there   is  value   in   physical   history.         

      ‘The   original   function   for   this   material   has   long   gone,   but   its   history   remains’. 

 

 

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By far the most complex, time-consuming totally unique sculpture Ian has, or ever will create and the centrepiece of the ‘Upcycled Sculptures’ Collection is the 'Victory Sculpture'. 

 

 

   

HMS Victory ‘Running before the Wind’ – (Victory oak – 47 inches long)

 

 

This one-of-a-kind 1:57 scale replica of Victory, carved by Ian, a man of Kent; was first exhibited in the City of London for a year and then for two years was placed on exhibition in the Museum at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard; a mere musket shot away from where Victory was originally built by other men of Kent 250 years earlier. Ian, a former cabinet maker, has now placed this unique sculpture within its own bespoke sculpted solid mahogany cabinet. The first and last model Ship Ian will ever make, now resides in the last cabinet Ian a former cabinet maker, will ever make.

 

 

 

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Sculptor Ian GB’s ‘milestone/turning point’ wood and bronze collection

 

 

This unique collection will also include twenty of Sculptor Ian GB’s ‘milestone/turning point’ wood and bronze sculptures. These sculptures were part of the over three hundred and fifty both large and small marble-resin, wood, bronze and sterling silver sculptures along with various original carved plaster and wooden ‘master copies’ Ian has created over three decades.

 

The ‘Turning Point’ wood and bronze collection include, Ian GB’s first and second woodcarving he ever completed, his first and second series of bronze wildlife sculptures and the first and second ‘wood turned’ item.

Ian’s first and last life-size one-piece ‘Eagle in-flight’ woodcarvings, along with a number of original carved wood and plaster ‘master copies’ for bronze castings. Editions of the first and second of the bronze wildlife sculptures Ian produced. The ‘Elephant and Calf’ and the large ‘Swimming Otter’ along with the first Kings Crown Ian ever produced for the Royal Household. 

 

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In 1990 the Museum Service toured a large collection of Ian’s sculptures as a 'One man' exhibition throughout the year to various museums in England, with his then newly created eight feet high Bald Eagle one-piece woodcarving shown below which was later used as the centre piece for these exhibitions.

 

 

 

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These early commissions created around two decades ago have been as diverse as carving the Royal Arms, to a full size bleached and stained wood sculpture of the ‘Risen Christ’ for a local Church. A Globe carved from within the trunk a Sequoia tree for a Company Reception Area, to still on the Globe theme a carved Globe on the tip of a Pencil for a school’s playgrounds ‘quiet’ area, along with the ‘Scottish Amicable Rugby Cup Final Trophy’ held at Murrayfield in 2000.

 

More recently during 2017/18 Ian received fourteen commissions from the Royal Household to be placing on display in Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle. These commissions varied from creating detailed sculptures of Falcon’s, Boars and Owls, to Badgers, Rams and Dogs, to then creating the gilded and bejewelled Crown for King Felipe V1 of Spain when the King was installed a Royal Knight of the Garter by HM The Queen in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Later in 2018 Ian was also commissioned to create the Crown for King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.  

 

 

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Ian has also been commissioned to produce high bas-relief sculptures in a wide variety of subjects, materials and venues both within the UK and Overseas. Including creating bas-relief sculptures for Ships both old and new as he rather enjoys the contrast of one moment carving from solid mahogany the Starboard Side Entrance Port on Lord Nelson's 18th Century Flagship HMS Victory; to then creating from solid marble/resin two large bas-relief sculptures now placed amongst the grandeur and elegance of the Grand Lobby of the somewhat rather more modern and opulent Ship; Cunard’s Queen Victoria.

 

 

     

 

 

Carved, painted and gilded Arms – Ian carving the Victory’s Entrance Port - The ‘Battle of Trafalgar’ scene carved from within an original five feet long oak beam removed from the lower gun deck of HMS Victory; which was placed on display in the Royal Naval Museum Portsmouth – The Princess Anne; The Princess Royal visiting Ian working on a ten feet wide Lime wood bas-relief carving for St Mary’s Church in the village of Warsash. 

 

To see the various stages of carving a wooden Coat of Arms: - please click here:

 

      

 

Ian GB began his artistic career as a woodcarver in 1996, initially using his highly detailed original woodcarvings as the ‘master copy’ for his bronze castings, however when the need arose Ian like most sculptors began creating the original ‘master copies’ modelled from clay, wax, plaster and occasionally carved directly from resin. Unlike carving directly in wood or stone, working  in clay, wax and plaster, any alterations required by the artist can be made far more easily using these more pliable materials, however once these originals ‘master copies’ of the sculpture are complete and it has been folded, these unique models that have been worked on directly by the artist for many hours and often weeks from clay, plaster etc, are usually just simply disposed of.

 

 

However, Ian's woodcarving 'master copies' can be retained so they could potentially also be made available to the client if requested at the time along with the bronze or silver sculpture from whence they came.

 

         

 

 

Please click images to enlarge.

 

 

The original carved ‘master copies’ Leaping Panther ‘carved from a single piece of Walnut, moulded and then cast in a limited-edition bronze – 50 inches long. ‘Swimming Otter’ Walnut limited-edition bronze. 48 inches high ‘Royal Unicorn’ original carved lime wood and a limited-edition bronze.  

 

Occasionally, as in the case of the ‘Mute Swan protecting her Cygnets’ bronze now placed alongside Mirror Lake in Lakelands, Florida. Ian’s original Mute Swan woodcarving was sent to the USA and used to enlarge a replica fourfold in clay by the ABF foundry. The Swan woodcarving and enlargement shown here placed alongside each other for replicating and comparison purposes by the art foundry.

 

Ian’s carved the original Swan from a single piece of lime wood in 1990 and the 27-inch-high wood carving was then moulded to enable a limited edition of nine bronzes be produced. The original Swan woodcarving was also returned to Ian in the UK and has recently been made available for sale. 

 

 

 

 

 

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During the Royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton; The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Westminster Abbey, thirty-four of Ian’s carved, painted and gilded Knights Crests commissioned by the Royal Household were on public display in Henry V11 Chapel in the Abbey.

 

 

During the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, thirty-two of Ian’s carved, painted and gilded Crowns, Coronets and Knights Crests commissioned by the British Royal Household, were on display either side of the aisle within the Quire where the wedding took place in St George’s Chapel,

 

 

 

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Although Ian prefers to concentrate on creating original artwork and tries not to get too involved with restoration projects, now and again Ian rather enjoys working with organisations such as the Royal Household, Private and Government organisations along with the Museum service and English Heritage to assist on a wide variety of restoration projects

 

Such commissions have included replacing or restoring antique, ornate plaster mouldings, wood carvings and bronze sculptures for Government buildings, Museums, Churches, Southwick House, The College of Arms in London, Windsor Castle and also carving a replica of an 18th century ships Lion figure-head for a museum, along with replacing the original intricately carved entrance port on Lord Nelson’s historic Flagship HMS Victory.

 

 

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contemporarysculptor.com.

 

Suzanne Cavill

 

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“Ironically enough I will be the first to admit I had no thoughts of being a professional sculptor until I was in my mid-thirties, when in 1984 a fire destroyed my once thriving cabinet making business that I had built up over ten years. My having made a mistake with renewing my business insurance policy, subsequently left me uninsured, with no machinery, tools and a workshop to put them all in and being self-employed, no prospects of any income.

 

 

I then discovered unbeknownst to me at the time, my long experience with working with timber ignited a dormant natural ability to be able to carve and equally importantly, carve quickly. All combined with the necessity to somehow continue to make a living, along with the desire and ability to be able to work round the clock, when necessary, to do so, which happened to be more often than not. All this along with a lot of lucky breaks along the way, I would not have been a professional sculptor for the past thirty-five plus years, this web page and all contained within it, would I fear never have existed. Ah such is life

 

 

 

 "Success is not about how high you can climb, but how long you can hang on.”

 

Ian GB.

 

 

 

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Photographs taken in St George's Chapel Windsor Castle by Ian GB are used with the kind permission of The Deans and Canons of Windsor, permission for further use of these images must be sought from the Chapter Office, The Cloisters, Windsor Castle. 

 

Photographs taken in Henry V11 Chapel Westminster Abbey by Ian GB are used with kind permission of The Dean and Chapter of Westminster, permission for further use of these images must be sought from the Chapter Office, Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean's Yard. London. Snowboarder image by Andrew Moore.- Other photographs taken by Ian G Brennan; Further use of these images must be sought from ian@iangb.com -  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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These Internet pages provide general information only, whilst we make every endeavour to check our facts, mistakes can occur. It is your responsibility to verify the accuracy of any information supplied by e-mail or contained in any of these pages. We cannot be held liable for any special, direct, indirect or consequential damages. For further details, terms and conditions; please click this link:  

www.iangb.com – ian@iangb.com

 Copyright © 2021 Ian G Brennan, all rights reserved.

 

 

 

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Selected Commissions Link  BIO Part One  BIO Part Two  BIO Part Three

Artist Information   HMS Victory Sculpture   Upcycled sculptures  Wood/Bronze Sculptures   HMS Victory

 Garter Knights Crests   Bath Knights Crests   Creating a Crest/Arms   Short TV Films