This month we are taking a look at a semi-abstract bronze sculpture by Peter Thursby. This wall-mounted sculpture is one of an edition of six casts of the same sculpture, made in 1974.

About the Sculpture

This angular bronze sculpture is a semi-abstract representation of a human figure, enclosed within a claustrophobic space.

It is one of a series of ‘Podmen’ sculptures by Devon-based artist Peter Thursby in which the artist explored his response to high-rise housing blocks, prevalent in the post World War II building programme.

He felt that these new housing estates consisted of ‘little boxes’ which generated in him a sense of confinement, both physical and psychological. He explained that his ‘Podmen’ were inspired by seeing, ‘little men on scaffolding, constructing buildings. They appeared to be framed in boxes, like peas in a pod…therefore the name Podmen arose.”

The sculpture Double Compartment Podman reflects this idea. The figure cannot stand but has to remain seated in order to fit into the space. Interestingly the external design at the back of the ‘compartment’ perhaps representing scaffolding poles which 'imprison' the figure. However, the other side is open, which might allow the figure to ‘escape’. The front face of the compartment slants forward, creating a sense of movement – perhaps this hints that despite the figure being trapped inside, the compartment could be set in motion.

About the Artist

Peter Thursby (1930 – 2011) was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He studied at West of England College of Art, Bristol and then sculpture at Exeter College of Art & Design. He held various teaching posts, including Head of art at Hele’s Grammar School, Exeter, 1960–71, and Head of Art and later head of school of Art and Design at Exeter College, Exeter, 1971–91, during which period he also occasionally lectured at the University of Exeter's Institute of Education.

From his earliest works, a distinct interest in architectural and engineered forms was evident. He started his artistic practice painting and sketching, and in the 1950s several of his early watercolours were painted in a scrapyard in Cheltenham where he stated that he liked working alone amid, ‘the silence and rusting objects. I didn’t want any disruption I just love all the juxtaposition’.

By the 1960s Thursby turned to the art of sculpting. Many of his sculptures were abstract in style, and reflected his experimentation with different mediums and casting methods. He preferred simplicity of form, inviting the viewer to contemplate the strong shapes in his artworks. The surfaces of earlier works were often textured but the forms later became simpler and more elegant and by the early 2000s he was producing sculptures from clean, polished steel.

As mentioned above, the 1970s saw him become interested in his ‘Podmen’ concept and he created many of these, either confined in outer-casings, or climbing, falling or rotating on external surfaces. By this time his work had also moved away from abstraction to the style of work you see in Double Compartment Podman.

Peter Thursby’s work was exhibited extensively, at venues such as the Arnolfini in Bristol, Plymouth Art Gallery, the Parr Gallery in Chelsea, and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. Exhibitions of his work were also hosted by the University of Exeter in 1962 and in 1976.

By the 1980s, Thursby had returned to an abstract style of sculpture, principally in the form of large public artworks for corporate clients. He continued to make sculptures and exhibit his work into the early 2000s.

His standing as a sculptor was recognised when he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Sculptors in 1983. Additionally, in 1995 he was elected President of the Royal West of England Academy.

Double Compartment Podman is part of the University's Streatham Campus Sculpture Walk which is open to visitors. Click here to find out more.

The Salisbury Museum holds the Peter Thursby archive including documents, paintings, drawings and sculptures.

See more examples of Peter Thursby's work on the Art UK website.

Acknowledgements

Peter Thursby by Vivienne Light & Simon Olding, Published 2006 by Canterton Books.

Peter Thursby Obituary, The Guardian, 20 February 2011 https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2011/feb/20/peter-thursby-obituary

Art UK: 'Peter Thursby, 1930-2011' https://artuk.org/discover/artists/thursby-peter-19302011