Adrian Moakes
My underlying motivation has always been to create inspiring ways for people to participate in my work, from collaboration in design development to involvement in finished public sculptures. Each commission is uniquely site specific, developed through widespread community consultation and research into local geographical, architectural, social and industrial history. I relish the task of reawakening and interpreting all such ingredients in the invention of artworks which intrigue, entertain, challenge and reward intellectually, physically and visually, creating sculptures which can be appreciated on a number of levels. Graduating from Preston Polytechnic with a BA Honours Fine Art Degree in 1980, I established a group studio in Lancaster and produced a large body of whimsical, hands-on kinetic sculptures that were exhibited nationwide. In 1983 I undertook North West Arts first Artist in Schools residency and moved to Manchester later that year. In 1985 I completed a one-year Sculpture Fellowship at North Manchester College, which included my first teaching post and permanent sculpture commission - a hand-cranked mechanical fountain. I established South Trafford College's sculpture department in 1986, continuing to teach there part-time until I became self employed in April 1989. Since then I've enjoyed the freedom and variety of working full-time as a professional artist, in particular the development of site-specific artworks all around the country.
Public Commissions:
'Cascade', Rainhill Eco Garden, Exchange Place, Rainhill, St.Helens 2014
'The Langdale Ferns', Langdale Close, Lower Ferry Fryston, Castleford 2014
'Out For A Walk', Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park, Merseyside 2014
'Air To Breathe', (joint commission with Siobhain Moakes) Wythenshawe Hospital Maternity Unit Entrance, Manchester 2014
'HortiCulture', Kirk Sandall, Doncaster 2013
'Catching Air', Brookdale Park, Newton Heath, Manchester 2013
'The Horsetail Gates', Moseley Bog Nature Reserve, Birmingham 2012
'The Hazel Grove Sculpture', A6 Wellington Road South, Stockport 2012
'Spirit', Barwell Junior School, Barwell, Leicestershire 2011
'Toolstack', Wellstead Primary School, Hedge End, Hampshire 2011
'...A New Leaf', Victoria Park, Halton, Cheshire 2011
'Cross of Life', All Saints Catholic Centre for Learning, Kirkby, Merseyside 2010
'St Edmund's Arrows' (4 pieces), St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Centre for Learning, Prescot, Merseyside 2010
Sculpture Trail (5 pieces), Dowd's Farm Park, Hedge End, Hampshire 2010
'The Salmon Putcher', Severn Beach, South Gloucestershire 2009
'Fiddlehead & Fernblades', Oakwell Hall Country Park, Batley, West Yorkshire 2008
'The Thought Tree', Touchstones Gallery, Rochdale 2008
'Apple Turnover', Oughtrington Orchard, Lymm, Cheshire 2008
'Marlfields Bench', Marlfields School, Congleton, Cheshire 2007
'Time-Span', Market Place, South Normanton, Derbyshire 2007
'Natural Selection', Pengam Green, Cardiff 2006
'Millefolium', Griffiths Park, Northwich, Cheshire 2004
'The Ironstone Bench', North Lincolnshire Museum, Scunthorpe 2004
'Reflection', Prestwich Hospital, Greater Manchester 2003
'The Rochdale Olympics', Nelson Street, Rochdale 2002
'Timelines', Vernon Place, Dunstable 2002
'Time Out', Colshaw Youth Centre, Wilmslow 2002
'Warp & Weft', Powell Street, Wigan 2002
'The Learning Curve', High Street, Watford 2001
'Up, Up & Away', Mereside, Blackpool 2000
'Monument to the Third Millennium', Peel Park, Salford 2000
'Making An Entrance' & 'Five Little Birds', Griffiths Park, Northwich, Cheshire 2000
'Crooked Grind', Colshaw Park, Wilmslow 2000
'In The Pipeline', Northwich, Cheshire 1999
'Silk Town Seats' (4 pieces), Market Place, Macclesfield 1999
Three Library Signs, Stretford, Flixton and Davyhulme, Manchester 1999
'Boisterous Bollards, Spectrum Gateway and Teapots', Old Trafford Neighbourhood Renewal, Manchester 1998
'The Great Northern', The Point, Doncaster 1998
'Whirlwind', Water's Meet, Stretford, Manchester 1997
'Tilt 1 & 2' (with Noah Rose), Museum & Art Gallery and St Georges Hall, Blackburn 1997
'The Celestial Seats' (with Noah Rose), All Saints Park, Blackburn 1997
'The Big Fish', Bradshaw Hill Farm, Bury 1997
'Play Garden', Old Trafford Family Centre, Manchester 1996
'Time Untied' (with Noah Rose), Urmston Library, Urmston, Manchester 1995
'The Broken Arcs' (with Noah Rose), Bolton Road, Blackburn 1995
'Vault', Norton Priory, Runcorn, Cheshire 1994
'The Trafford Tableaux', Trafford Park, Manchester 1994
'The Eye of the Storm', Water's Meet, Stretford, Manchester 1992
'Waterforce', Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Cheshire 1991
'Recycling', Albert Square, Manchester 1991
'Reckless Pedestrian', Murraygate, Dundee 1989
'Springing To Life', Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester 1987
'Out of Water', Bradshaw Hill Farm, Bury 1987
'Fountain', Abraham Moss Centre, Manchester 1985
Corporate commissions:
University Challenge Winners' Awards (stainless steel replica trophies), BBC 2 (Granada Media), Manchester 2011
The Third Open Book, (stainless steel trophy) University Challenge, BBC2 (Granada Media) 2009
The Foundation Tree (light sculpture), Everton FC Charity, Liverpool 2008
Into The Fire (sculptural fireplace & wall), David Mach Studio, London 2007
Champion's Award, (trophy) Baby Ballroom, ITV
Star Turn Awards (3 bronze & stainless steel trophies), Culture North West, Manchester 2006
The Second Open Book (stainless steel trophy), University Challenge, BBC2 (Granada Media) 2004
Stars In Their Eyes (brass & stainless steel trophies), ITV 2002 and 2001
Schools Challenge (stainless steel trophy), ITV 1997
International University Challenge / College Bowl (stainless steel trophy), BBC2 1996
An Open Book (TV set & stainless steel trophy), University Challenge, BBC2 (Granada Media) 1994
Rockin' Chair (kinetic sculpture), Tatton Park, Cheshire 1992
Pit Head Twist (kinetic sculpture), Public Arts, Wakefield 1990
Wipe Out (kinetic installation), Battersea Arts Centre, London 1989
Tipping The Scales (kinetic installation), Seagate Gallery, Dundee 1989
Coolometer (kinetic sculpture), Granada TV & Yorkshire TV 1988
CarZoo (sculpture installation), The Hacienda, Manchester 1987
Ultimate Machine (TV Set), Granada TV 1987
A Sight For Sore Ears (sculpture installation & live participatory performance with The Basking Sharks), The Cornerhouse, Manchester 1986