Collection: Paul Southwell Sculpture

Original Sculpture 

Paul Southwell is a self-taught sculptor and skilled metalworker whose extraordinary creations transform discarded pieces of metal into striking works of art.

A fabricator by trade, Paul has spent decades working with steel, but his fascination with metal began much earlier. At school, metalwork quickly captured his imagination and even then he was interested in doing something a little different – taking a practical project and finding a way to give it personality.

That instinct has stayed with him throughout his working life.

Paul began creating pieces in his workshop for family and friends, gradually experimenting with old tools, chains, cogs, gears, nuts, bolts and other pieces of reclaimed and salvaged metal. Rather than seeing these objects simply for what they once were, Paul sees their shapes, textures and possibilities – giving forgotten pieces of engineering an entirely new purpose.

His distinctive guitar sculptures began with a very personal project. Looking to make something special for his son, who is a keen guitarist, Paul decided to create a guitar from scrap metal. What started as a one-off gift sparked an idea that would become a major part of his artistic work.

Today, Paul creates incredible full-size guitar sculptures, each individually constructed and completely unique. Inspired by real instruments, the familiar outline of the guitar becomes a framework within which Paul can play with shape, space and texture. Look closely and you might discover vintage tools, mechanical components, chains, gears or pieces whose previous lives are still tantalisingly visible.

There is something particularly appealing about the transformation. Objects that might otherwise have been discarded are reimagined and brought together to create something bold, sculptural and full of character.

Music, engineering, craftsmanship and imagination collide in Paul Southwell's work, making his sculptures fascinating from a distance and even more intriguing when you get close enough to explore all those wonderful little details.

For music lovers, guitar enthusiasts, engineering fans – or simply anyone who appreciates something genuinely different – a Paul Southwell sculpture is guaranteed to be a talking point.