Bryan Ellery

Making a portrait of another human being is a great privilege for me, and it needs certain conditions. I always work from life, in a one-to-one situation with peaceful surroundings, so that my subject’s natural presence can become clear to me. It is then my job to record my impressions in the clay a synthesis of feelings and observation.

The different ages of man present varying challenges. Best of all I love the natural life force in a child’s being-‘trailing clouds of glory’. But then, I am also fascinated by the mercurial complexity of the adolescent; sometimes tentative and faint, sometimes vividly overpowering.

Most difficult perhaps to portray is the sophisticated self-awareness, the mature beauty, and sometimes glorious pretensions of the adult. Later there is a certain relief in examining the weight of experience which is borne inescapably and tangibly by the older sitters. The light of wisdom shines through their features. – Sculptor Bryan Ellery

Fascinated by the human face, its infinite variety, varying colours and the characteristics of different nationalities. Celebrated sculptor Bryan Ellery has travelled the world creating exceptional, distinctive bronze portraits of adults, children and animals. His unique style incorporates tiny overlapping petals of clay that when cast into bronze are finished in beautiful patina’s that capture and convey both the beauty and diversity of mankind.

His first portraiture was at the age of seven – a rather crude caricature in mud of his headmaster, for which he was given the cane! Having thankfully learned a little diplomacy over the years, at the age of 19, he was appointed his 1^st official commission. The portrait was of the Professor of English, Moelwyn Merchant, of the University of Exeter. This exceptional portrait received much critical acclaim and firmly established his reputation as a serious portrait artist. Thereafter, many important commissions followed. The portrait of ‘Moelwyn Merchant’ is today exhibited and held in the library at Eton College.

“As part of Humanity we are still individually unique. In my portraits, I love to record the special presence of each of my sitter’s and immortalise this with the shimmering beauty of bronze.”  – Sculptor Bryan Ellery

Commissions Available