Andrew Mckeown has completed many large scale sculpture commissions throughout the U.K and internationally for local councils, housing developers and environmental agencies such as Groundwork U.K, Wilmott Dixon, Wing Tai Holdings and Yuill, Miller and Haslam Homes.
Andrew Mckeown has completed many large scale sculpture commissions throughout the U.K and internationally for local councils, housing developers and environmental agencies such as Groundwork U.K, Wilmott Dixon, Wing Tai Holdings and Yuill, Miller and Haslam Homes.
Recurring themes within Andrew’s work are those of growth, change and renewal and these natural or organic themes are often combined with site specific historical or industrial references which can be both literal and/or metaphorical.
An interesting example of this approach can be seen in the sculpture ‘Breaking the Mould’ which takes the form of a giant seed which has emerged from an old industrial mould. The mould is broken and no longer useful but the last cast to be made is a new natural life form. The sculptures symbolism creates a striking resonance with the former and future uses of many of the twenty one Groundwork Changing Places regeneration sites where the sculptures are located.
Casting and mould making processes inform and influence Andrew’s work in both a practical and conceptual way and he often creates installations of multiple sculptures which are cast or fabricated in durable materials such as iron, steel, bronze and stone.
When commissioned to design public sculpture or design Andrew carries out in depth research both on site and within the local community. Andrew connects this research with his physical and visual response to each site, its immediate location and the wider surrounding environment. Conversations with local people also spark ideas and potential avenues to explore. His aim is create artworks that combine local themes and identity with those that symbolise regeneration, growth and change. The resulting artworks can be abstract yet familiar, natural and industrial, enigmatic sculptures that are born out of an areas heritage but become symbols for the future.
Local communities have been involved in all of Andrew’s public commissions and he has extensive experience and knowledge in this area. Andrew lives and works in the North East of England and is available for public and private commissions throughout the U.K. and internationally.
CV
Education/Training
1990-1993 BA(Hons) Fine Art Coventry University
2011 CITB SSSTS (H & S for Site Supervisors) Certificate
2010 CSCS Site Operative (Construction Skills Certificate Scheme)
2010 Enhanced CRB
Founding Director/Trustee of Platform Arts Studios and Platform A Gallery, Middlesbrough Train Station.
Public Commissions
2015 A63 Roundabout Sculpture, Leeds, Leeds City Council
2015 Quenby Rd Entrance Feature, Billingham, Groundwork NE
2014 – 2015 Hummersea Hills Artworks, Loftus, Coast & Country Housing
2014 – 2015 Hemlington Artworks, Middlesbrough, Groundwork NE
2014 – 2015 Chertsey Green Artworks, Middlesbrough, Groundwork NE
2013 – 2014 Fruits’, Orchard Village, Essex, Wilmott Dixon/Circle Housing/PRP
2013 ‘From Beneath’, Skelton Asda, Terrace Hill Ltd
2013 ‘Journey’, Edge Hill Sculpture, Liverpool Council
2012 ‘Blaydon Races’ Sculpture, Gateshead Council
2012 ‘To the future’ Artwork, Stockton Council
2011 ‘Seeds’, Helios Apts, Singapore, Wing Tai Holdings
2009 - 2011 'Resilience', Steeplechase, Redcar, FHM/Coast & Country Housing
2009 - 2011 ‘Dice’, Northlands Play Area, Durham County Council
2011 'Hemlington Rocks', Hill View Park, Middlesbrough, Erimus Housing/ G-work NE
2010 'Work', East Middlesbrough Ind Estates, Groundwork North East
2010 'Rivets', Gateshead Riverside Park, Gatehead Council
2009 Pannett Park, Whitby, N. Yorks, Scarborough Council
2008 - 2009 ‘Growth’, Linthorpe Cemetery; Middlesbrough
2007 - 2010 'Primary Growth', Epping Primary School, Epping, Essex
2007 - 2008 'Organism', Saltburn Cliff Lift Commission, Saltburn, Cleveland.
2004 - 2006 ‘Jewels of the Sea’, East Shore Village, Seaham, 35 large cast iron sculptures,
Yuill,Miller & Haslam Homes
2004 ‘Crystallisation’ sculptures, Albert Park, Middlesbrough
2004 ‘Standing stones’, sculptures Tollesby School, Middlesbrough
2002 - 2003 ‘Strata’ Wall Relief Sculptures, Sure Start, Middlesbrough
2001 - 2002 'Seed', St. Phillips Square Sculpture, Salford, Salford City Council
2002 'FeO2', Consett Park Artworks, Consett, Derwentside Council
2002 Riverside Park Sculptures, Chester-le-St Council
2001 - 2002 Easterside Shops Improvement Scheme Sculpture. Groundwork Middlesbrough
2002 'River', Glebe Park Artworks , Groundwork Middlesbrough2
2001 'Doorway', Millenium Green Sculpture, South Bank, Middlesbrough
1999 - 2001 'Breaking the Mould', 21 marker sculptures for 21 Changing Places, sites
across England & Wales, Groundwork UK National Office.
2001 'Time', Central Feature Commission, Future Regeneration of Grangetown
2000 - 2001 Public Square relief sculpture, Guisborough, Teesside
2000 - 2001 Ayresome Gardens Sculptures, Middlesbrough Council
2000 'Relic', Millenium Green Sculpture, Newfield, County Durham
2000 'Remnant', Sculpture Trail sculpture, Groundwork Blackburn
Arts Employment
1998 – Director of Platform Arts Studios and Gallery, Middlesbrough
1997 Sculpture Demonstrator, Cleveland College of Art (part time) BA Fine Art
1994 - 1995 Assistant Public Arts Officer, Cleveland Arts, Middlesbrough
Awards and Grants
Arts Council International Development Fund – Research Grant 2012
Berlin Artists Research Trip – an publications 2005
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council – Design Award Winner 2002
Northern Arts – Training at The Portland Sculpture Trust 2000
Teeside Development Corporation – Individual Artists Award 1999
Middlesbrough Council – Artists Bursary 1999
Richard Mills Travel Award – To study Public Art in Holland 1998
