Artist Spotlight: Adam Paddon

Transforming Spaces Through Bronze

The work of Adam Paddon is incredible and has gained him a number of fans here at The Rose Gallery and at the many events we attend. Having visited Adam at the foundry and had the opportunity to speak to him about his work, we’ve learnt that for him, creativity is tightly joined to play and enjoyment. 

Some of Adam’s earliest memories involve transforming cardboard boxes into imaginative creations, carrying sketchbooks filled with characters, and finding delight in the process of creating. He shared, "Drawing was my thing, but I never thought I was creative. I like making things - bringing them to life". And this innate desire to create was nurtured by an inspirational secondary school teacher who made art fun and accessible, setting him on a path that can be seen to lead to his distinctive bronze sculptures.

From Foundry to Fine Art

Adam's journey hasn't followed a conventional artist's trajectory. After completing a broad visual studies degree, he tried what he calls "sensible jobs," including work at a publisher. However, his transformative moment came when he discovered bronze casting at the Morris Singer foundry. "I fell in love with the bronze process at the foundry - the casting process and materials. It was fun and I enjoyed making things," he explains.

This love of bronze led him to the Sculpture Castings Foundry, where he now serves as a director, enjoying the opportunities to follow his artistic vision while also mastering the technical aspects of this creative medium.

What separates Adam from many sculptors is his intimate knowledge of every stage of the process - making the wax, finishing the metalwork, applying the patination, and even delivering it. This hands-on approach ensures that each piece maintains his exacting standards from inception to installation.

The Canvas of Bronze

For Adam, bronze objects can be seen as simple canvases for his true artistry and experimentation - the patination. This chemical process, which colours the bronze surface, is where his technical expertise and artistic vision unite. "Patination is about creating colours through process on the bronze, and the objects are just a canvas," he shares.

Each piece represents countless hours of experimentation with chemicals, heat, and technique to achieve the perfect finish with Adam's oversized fruits and seeds - particularly his signature conkers - showcasing his mastery of this process, creating works with remarkable depth and complexity of colour.

Nocturnal Creations

With a young family at home, Adam has adapted his creative schedule to the quiet hours of the night. "I'm nocturnal, that's when my brain comes alive... Creativity often happens at 2am," he explains. 

Adam knows a piece is complete "when it screams quality" and when he feels someone would be proud to display it in their home. The subtlety of his patination work, with its complex layers of colour, creates pieces of remarkable depth that continue to reveal new details over time.

The Joy of Creation

Adam's philosophy extends beyond creating beautiful objects - he wants to transform spaces and emotions. "I want to make their space better, make people happier and brighten up their spaces," he says. His oversized fruits and seeds, particularly his conkers, connect with viewers through nostalgia and playfulness, inviting interaction and an emotional response.

He particularly enjoys commissioned work, embracing the challenge of enhancing specific environments. "I love the challenge of 'I've got a space, I want something in it - can you help?'" Being able to explore different styles and concepts, starting with the process and materials, is very freeing.

Despite his technical mastery, Adam maintains that "happy accidents are the best things." The tension between his structured foundry work and the need for artistic freedom creates a unique dynamic in his creative process. "A brief gives me a reason to create and gives me time and space to enjoy the process. I work best with that pressure," he explains.

The Human Connection

Perhaps most rewarding for Adam is seeing people engage with his work. After meeting collectors who had purchased his pieces from The Rose Gallery, he described the experience as "wonderful to hear." 

Despite his technical focus and what he modestly describes as his "foundry worker with a strong skillset" identity, the connection with those who appreciate his art brings him real joy and satisfaction. It’s clear he’s humbled that anyone chooses to invest in something he’s created, but it’s a true reflection of his skill and vision that his sculptures inspire in their audience the same sense of joy Adam pours into making them. 

Adam Paddon’s sculptures represent a perfect joining of technical excellence and artistic vision; he creates not just objects of beauty, but sources of delight designed to transform the spaces they inhabit. We're so pleased to showcase his exceptional works at The Rose Gallery, where their remarkable presence can be fully appreciated.