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Mark’s Iron Clocks are distinctly individual. Named after mythological characters, each clock possesses an extraordinary melting effect, reflecting the artist’s fascination with nature’s cycle and the immortality of time itself.

The first clock in the series is known as ‘Gaia’. Working intuitively, without sketches, Mark naturally devised a three dimensional form by shaping and layering the metal to create the impression of folds and overlaps within the sculpture. This unusual melting effect is a constant theme within the series, representing the concept of movement and fluidity that is so central to Mark’s vision.

As each new clock was created, these exceptional and distorted forms became increasingly complex, incorporating cracks and fissures in the latter stages of the series. Indistinct shapes and intricate details on the panels of each sculpture encourage different interpretations. This ultimately adds to the intrigue and enigmatic quality that each piece possesses as a whole.

From the initial concept of ‘Gaia’, followed by ‘Phoenix’, through to ‘Apollo’; ‘Zeus’; ‘Titan’ and most recently ‘Cronus’, the maturing of Mark’s artistic vision can clearly be seen.

Each clock in the original series is distinctive and no two faces are the same. The complex leaded glass is hand crafted to pick out the unique shape in each face and all the clocks are hand polished with the artist’s name added to the face and the trunk of the sculpture.

Time is an Abstract Concept

Born in 1966, Mark is a contemporary artist, based in Newark, Nottinghamshire, who designs inspirational clocks made from steel. Influenced by Gaudi and Spanish surrealist, Dali, Mark began to conceive an image of a melting clock, created from iron, but sculpted to large proportions. His first Iron Clock in the series, known as 'Gaia', was completed nearly four years ago.

Mark has produced a series of six sculptures to date, which have attracted tremendous interest and critical acclaim. Each sculpture is original, shaped with distinctive markings that, when viewed as a whole, represent what Mark refers to as 'a human form fitting the proportions of people'.

With each Iron Clock, Mark has distorted the notion of time by creating an incredible melting effect that is both visually arresting and technically superb. As the series has progressed, Mark's artistic vision has become increasingly complex, inviting different interpretations as more intricate detail is added. This creates additional depth and dimension to each new sculpture, that further disrupts our traditional concept of time as each Iron Clock tells its own individual story.

Fragmentation contrasts sharply with fluidity in his latest creation 'Cronus', where the juxtaposition of time and nature are beautifully realised.

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