Fine Art Profile
Since graduating from London's Royal College of Art, where Henry Moore personally funded Atkin's MA Sculpture, John Atkin has exhibited his work worldwide, from Southend and San Francisco to Fuzhou, China. Recent publications on Atkin's output focus on references to cultural heritage within the contemporary landscape; his research interest lies in public art and the interaction it provides people with artwork.
John Atkin's sculptures have global appeal, changing 'space' into 'place'. Public art builds community landmarks and meeting points for generations and cultures to come. His work has been the subject of widespread media interest and editorials that focus on his public sculptures, here in the UK & overseas.
Of his recent work, Strange Meeting was commissioned by Beijing Municipal Government and is exhibited in the Beijing Olympic Park. The artwork celebrates the Olympics' cultural emphasis: "One World One Dream". Collaborative sculpture Hard Bop focuses on the regeneration of the Fillmore District of San Francisco. With AXIS Architects, John Atkin delivered a coherent public realm that addresses the locale's indelible heritage as the home of West Coast Jazz.
Atkin has also recently completed a landmark sculpture for the City of Fuzhou. The Silk Road is part of an international exhibition of large-scale sculptures that celebrate the opening of China's first Youth Games. The 4.4m stainless steel sculpture now stands tall, in pride of place, in this 8M populated city south of Shanghai.
John Atkin's studio practice continues to be a vital element in the development of his work. He embraces all aspects of cross-disciplinary heritage and culture within the context of re-shaping public space.
Inside the Sculpture Studio
Practice Profile
Design studio | Maker’s workshop| Fabrication | Digital modelling | Photography | Structural Engineering | Installation
John Atkin is an international artist, personally sponsored by Henry Moore to attend the Royal College of Art (1982 -1985).
He is a multi-award-winning artist with a studio-focussed practice that successfully delivers the design & build of innovative landmark artworks to the public realm and private space. He has exhibited his work at The Peggy Guggenheim Museum Italy, Museum of Modern Art Melbourne, New Orleans Museum of Art USA, Royal Academy of Arts London, Venice Biennale, etc. His public sculpture output occupies prominent locations, such as Olympic Park Beijing, McMurtry Gardens of Justice Toronto, Fillmore Plaza San Francisco, Beetham Towers Liverpool and Covent Garden London, etc. He has worked extensively with, Developers, Landscape Architects, Local Councils, Municipal Government, here and overseas.
The Studio
John Atkin has been based in SW London for more than twenty-years and accesses the best technical and academic experience to deliver high-quality artworks for exhibition, as well as the public realm. The team comprises, scientists, engineers, fabricators, foundry expertise, structural engineers, digital modelling, lighting specialists, user-centred design, urban factors, additive manufacturing, film makers, community consultation, UX design.
Scope of Practice
John Atkins’ work has achieved a global presence and can be seen as far afield as, Beijing, San Francisco, Toronto and throughout the UK and Ireland.
He has lectured at numerous institutions worldwide including, Boston University, Tsinghua University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kansas City Art Institute, Hartford University, Sydney College of the Arts, Victoria College Melbourne, The Curtin Institute Perth, etc. He is Honorary fellow, National Academy of Sculpture Beijing, and Fellow at the Royal Society of Sculptors, London.