Handcrafted wire sculpture inspired by the natural world…
…an exploration of Australian native fauna, its movement and form.
Click the imagery below to see them in more detail or go to Available Works above to see what’s available to buy.
The Sculptor
Hi, I’m Julian and this is The Wire Studio.
This is the workbench where I sit, specs on and an iPad focused on an Australian native animal in an interesting pose. I like to challenge myself to bring life to the inanimate, so I just sit here with my wire, pop the gloves on, (when I remember) and get going.
I never really know where a sculpture will end up when I start.
LESS IS MORE
My sculptures are as much about what is left out as what is included. This applies particularly to birds whose shapes are so familiar to us. A slight tilt of the head is often enough to give a sense of what the bird is doing and our imaginations can do the rest..
It’s always a delight and a surprise to bring them into their final form.
A Beautiful Base.
My bases are mostly made from rescued Australian red-gum firewood.
It’s a magnificent wood and deserves to last longer than an hour in the fire. When its finely sanded it feels as solid and smooth as marble. It’s a bit of work, but we end up with a beautiful, unique base.
I love to think that I’ve given it a second life which, in an ideal world, will outlast me.
WHY WIRE?
Creating something in 3 dimensions with such a simple material is very gratifying.
I like to capture an authentic posture that reveals an animal's character or emotional state. That's what wire lets me do, distill that observation into essential movement.
Wire’s transparency lets you see the negative space, which actually makes the sense of movement more dynamic.
Unlike solid sculpture, wire doesn't anchor you to one perspective. You can see through it and around it. This creates a sense of the figure being alive and moving through space rather than frozen within it.
Based on the Mornington Peninsula, artworks can be sent straight to you
Works are available for local pickup or can be shipped directly to the doorstep of their new home.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
My sculptures are made from galvanized wire and Australian refurbished timber, usually redgum but occasionally I will use wine barrels and other hardwood timber I come across to handcraft the bases. I also use other wires like copper on occasion; check the individual information by clicking the image of the piece for the exact details.
-
It will depend on the piece but most of them are. It will generally depend on the base, which I am happy to adjust to your requirements if you let me know where you plan for the sculpture to live I will make it suit.
The majority of my sculptures are made with galvanised wire which means they won’t rust and they ARE sturdy, even if they may not look it!
The red-gum bases are also weatherproof and will last just fine in normal weather conditions.
-
Click the image and the sculpture availability will be listed there. If there is any doubt just contact me. All my pieces are one-offs .
-
You can reach me anytime via my contact form at the bottom of this page or email. I aim to respond quickly - usually within one business day.
-
I work from Mt Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula, about an hour south of Melbourne, Victoria. It is not a shopfront.
If you are interested in purchasing a sculpture a private viewing of the work can be discussed; get in touch via the contact form below.
-
Of course! I’m happy to securely ship any piece to its forever home anywhere, at the buyers expense.
-
It will depend on the size of the sculpture and where it is being sent to. I’m happy to send your sculpture anywhere in the world.
It will be the standard parcel post for Australia Post domestically, and International shipping will need to be quoted individually. Shipping is at the buyers expense. Just get in touch via the contact page and we’ll work it out!
-
I love to collaborate and make pieces that are truly meaningful. If you have a favourite animal you’d love to see come to life in wire, get in touch via the contact form below. to discuss! I’ll be in touch ASAP, usually within 24 hours.
-
Got an idea in mind? Absolutely, let’s discuss it! Get in touch via the contact form below.
-
Jump onto the mailing list. All new work and any new exhibition information goes out to my mailing list first before I get around to putting it on Instagram @the_wire_studio
Following along on Instagram is the best way to see more of what I do on the regular, as I post bits of my process along the way. Thanks for your interest!
