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David J. Mitchell

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David is a sculptor and painter. Working in many different materials, David produces pieces in marble, bronze, terracotta, and plaster in order to achieve his artistic visions.

 

Working from his studio in Scotland, David undertakes bespoke commissions for clients as well as producing gallery work and public monuments.

Design Philosophy

The artist's duty is to transcend mere physical resemblance in order to capture the essence of the subject's soul. The sculptor's primary responsibility is not simply to reproduce external features or likenesses that could be capture via 3d scanning,  hyper realist modelling or life casting (a method that even the ancient egyptian were able to do). Instead, the true mastery lies in delving deeper, beyond the surface, to reveal the character and inner life of the subject.

In this view, a sculpture should not be a lifeless or mechanical copy of outward appearances. Rather, it should be a profound interpretation of the subject's inner world, an expression of their emotional depth, intellect, and spirit. The artist must look beyond the "mask" of the face—the lines, angles, and proportions—and seek the truth of the person within. The form, the posture, and the texture of the sculpture should speak to the viewer's understanding of who the subject truly is, not just what they look like.

This philosophy values the soul's presence as the highest form of representation. The artist's creative process involves not only technical skill but also an empathetic connection with the subject, an intuitive grasp of their character, which is then translated into the physical medium. Through this approach, sculpture becomes a means of capturing the timeless, the emotional, and the spiritual, offering a deeper and more enduring connection with the viewer.

Therefore, traditional sculpture design according to this philosophy encourages the artist to create works that resonate with the viewer on a level beyond mere visual imitation. It is a pursuit of truth, an exploration of what lies beneath the skin, a reverence for the unseen qualities that shape human identity, personality, and life itself. 

“If the Artist only reproduces superficial features, as photography does- if he copies the lineaments of the face exactly, without reference to character- he deserves no admiration. The resemblance which he ought to obtain is that of the Soul- that alone matters; it is that which the Sculptor should seek beneath the mask of features.”

Auguste Rodin

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