Chris Cudlip: Artist profile
Chris has a background in special effects working as a freelance figurative sculptor and prop maker in London working for companies as varied as English national Opera, Madame Tussauds and Pinewood Studios He is now pursuing a solo career from the Arches Studios complex based in Southampton where he available for public or private commissions of any size.
His work is diverse in subject matter and uses a wide variety of materials with a figurative thread running throughout. It encompasses traditional sculpting methods, performance, experimental recycled work, youth and community projects, and recently an exploration into the world of sumo.
An interest in eastern culture led to some time spent in Japan and has influenced recent speculative works such as “Rikishi” a striking life size half relief figure of a sumo cast in polyester resin which has created some interest from sumo fans world wide and an interview by online Sumo Fan Magazine.
Large scale site specific pieces include a commission by Streetscene Addictions Charity for a five times life-size salmon being held by two giant hands. Carved in green oak wood this features as the centre piece in a therapeutic garden of one of its rehabilitation centres.
Another public sculpture involved working with young people verging on exclusion at The Windrush Rd Youth Centre to make huge concrete words which double as furniture for the use of the centre’s clients
“Mad Cow” a life-size cow made entirely from recycled plastic milk bottles was a community project with children from Itchen Valley Southampton.
“Toucans day out” a homage to his family history of five generations of travelling entertainers and his own travels as a musician and puppeteer involves the manipulation of a hand carved wooden mechanical bird operated by levers and pulleys accompanied by banjo harmonica and vocals.