Motoring art
From his stash of scrap car parts, this enthusiastic Australian sculptor creates remarkable works
James Corbett has been producing amazing sculptures for more than 20 years, and his latest exhibition at the John Davies Gallery marks the 10th anniversary of his first UK show, but his creative process remains the same. Since giving up his specialist motor-wrecking business in 2000 to focus on his creations, Corbett has exhibited globally and received prestigious commissions for everyone from car manufacturers to city zoos. Even American art students are now critiquing his sculptures in lectures: “My goal is to exhibit in one of the big art cities in Europe because it’s easy to feel a bit marooned down here in Queensland.”
From diverse salvaged components, he cuts and welds to create a wonderful range of subjects. Each piece starts with a sketch before he begins the quest for parts. “Most of the local specialists and scrapyards know me now,” laughs Corbett. From Edwardian racing giants to apes and penguins, his sculptures have a unique dynamism. Over the years Bloody Mary, the Voisin Laboratoire, Morgan three-wheelers and the Blitzen Benz have inspired him. A firm favourite is the famous ‘Beast of Turin’ Fiat S74, which has now been the subject of four sculptures: “I loved the video of Duncan Pittaway driving the Fiat on public roads to Goodwood, and my latest red monster features an aero-style nose.”
Finding older car parts is becoming more of a challenge as local scrapyards vanish: “On every trip, I never stop looking for suitable bits. Most of my automotive pieces are still created using car parts, with a very occasional sprinkling of motorcycle and bicycle bits,” he says. “More cars are scrapped now, but there are very few parts I want to use. Real estate is just too valuable to store old cars, and many of the yards of derelict older vehicles have been cleared. As a result I’m experimenting with other objects such as cameras, an old horse harness and hand tools. Anything with a bit of history, texture and patina.”
Recent commissions have included two huge racing grasshoppers to celebrate the history of Australia’s now-defunct Oran Park circuit: “They feature motorcycle engines, with a 4.8m wingspan made from multiple car windows. One grasshopper wears the colours and race numbers of the famous Norm Beechey Monaro.”
When not working in his studio, Corbett enjoys his classic car collection, which includes a noisy 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 and 1974 Citroën DS Safari project. But on a perfect day, driving his treasured Porsche 356A on clear, open roads around Queensland never fails to raise a smile: “I’ve fallen under the Stuttgart spell.”
James Corbett’s exhibition is at the John Davies Gallery, Moreton-inmarsh GL56 9NQ from 3-24 November: jamescorbettart.com