Glasgow-based artist Martin Boyce, reworks and references the textures and forms of the built environment. Using the iconography of the everyday alongside the formal and conceptual histories of modern architecture and design, his sculptures often form poetic landscapes which merge interior and exterior spaces. In an extended act of homage and deconstruction Boyce has most notably referenced Jan and Joël Martel’s concrete trees of 1925. From these structures Boyce developed a typography and a consistent lexicon of shapes which feed into his sculptural practice. Alongside his large-scale, site-specific installations, Boyce’s output also encompasses the reimagining of more modest utilitarian objects. Vents, screens, telephone booths, fireplaces and lanterns are incorporated into a wider body of work imbued with the language of urbanism and punctuated with moments of unexpected tenderness and beauty. Boyce won the prestiges Turner Prize in 2011 and since 2018 has been professor of sculpture at HFBK Hamburg.
Night After Night
2023
Lacquered steel, painted plywood, wood block print on madrid litho paper, cellulose paint on cast bronze and bronze wire
220 x 164 x 5 cm / 86 5/8 x 64 5/8 x 2 in
© Martin Boyce
Tonight
2023
Lacquered steel, painted plywood, wood block print on Madrid litho paper, Madrid litho paper
81 x 61 x 4 cm / 32 x 24 1/8 x 1 5/8 in
© Martin Boyce
Black Telephone (Dreaming)
2020
Patinated steel, etched and painted aluminum, painted silicone molded vacuum cast resin, coiled cable
221 x 166 x 11 cm / 87 x 65 3/8 x 4 3/8 in
© Martin Boyce
Yellow Telephone (Searching)
2020
Patinated steel, etched and painted aluminum, painted silicone molded vacuum cast resin, coiled cable
167.5 x 111.5 x 11 cm / 66 x 43 7/8 x 4 3/8 in
© Martin Boyce
Here Come the Waves
2020
Chair: Sapele and oak veneered MDF
Door: Tulipwood and birch ply, welded steel, brass
Chair 50.5 x 50 x 82 cm / 19 7/8 x 19 5/8 x 32 1/4 in
Door 237 x 124 x 10 cm / 93 1/4 x 48 7/8 x 3 7/8 in
© Martin Boyce
Not Remembering Or Forgetting
2019
Steel, patinated and waxed brass, etched and waxed brass, etching ink
30 x 30 x 30 cm / 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 in
© Martin Boyce
Treacherous in Calm and Still in Storm
2018
Painted perforated steel, aluminum, painted and stained steel, painted and stained steel chain
166.5 x 110.5 x 15 cm / 65 1/2 x 43 1/2 x 5 7/8 in
© Martin Boyce
A Granite Swan
2018
Jesmonite, steel, oiled wood
80.5 x 60.5 x 4 cm / 31 3/4 x 23 7/8 x 1 5/8 in
© Martin Boyce
While on the Roof (10)
2015
Jesmonite, galvanised steel and aluminum
Installation 290 x 135 x 100 cm / 114 1/8 x 53 1/8 x 39 3/8 in
© Martin Boyce
Dead Star (Metal Palms)
2015
Painted Steel, blackened steel, painted bronze, chain and cast bronze; 2 parts
Chandelier 54 x 40 x 40 cm / 21 1/4 x 15 3/4 x 15 3/4 in
Light switch 8.5 x 8.5 x 1.5 cm / 3 3/8 x 3 3/8 x 5/8 in
Installation dimensions variable
© Martin Boyce
The Lake
2014
Blackened steel, painted steel, chain, rusted chain, light components
Weight approx. 14 kg
248 x 107 x 110 cm / 97 5/8 x 42 1/8 x 43 1/4 in
© Martin Boyce
Through Us
2013
Weathered galvanised steel, Danish oil; pedestal plywood
Sculpture 77 x 40 x 30 cm / 30 3/8 x 15 3/4 x 11 3/4 in
Pedestal 72 x 42 x 34 cm / 28 3/8 x 16 1/2 x 13 3/8 in
© Martin Boyce
Of Leaves
2010
Jesmonite, steel
160 x 114 x 4 cm / 63 x 44 7/8 x 1 5/8 in
Unique
© Martin Boyce
When Now is Night (web)
1999
Installation; fluorescent light fittings and tubes, chains, hooksight
Installation dimensions variable
Edition of 3
Installation view, Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island, 2015–2016
© Martin Boyce
