PHILIP SPELMAN

BIOGRAPHY UK 1962 

Philip Spelman graduated from the Applied Arts Department at the Queensland College of Arts and continued studies at the Canberra School of Art  Australian National University, completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Sculpture.

As a practicing Sculptor for over 35 years, he maintains a broad professional research based studio practice, exhibiting extensively in regional, national, and International exhibitions.

Spelman is an advocate for Australian Sculpture, through his role as a Director on the board of Sculpture by the Sea, and through his participation with international cultural delegations, exchanges, residencies, and creative collaborations.

Spelman holds extensive skills in technical management, with practical experience in exhibitions and installations, providing specialist art consultation, to government, institutional, and private organizations.

 Spelman’s sculptures are primarily fabricated painted steel, striking abstract constructed assemblages. They combine simple rational geometric forms and hard-edged shapes that are drawn from still life imagery creating a dynamic structural interplay of elements.  The sculptures balance, tumble and float, forming positive and negative compositions of space, light, intersection and segmentation,.

Spelman’s sculptures are memorable for their vibrant monochromatic colour, luminosity and depth, creating stunning streamlined silhouettes against their environment.

 In 2025 Spelman received the ‘Artist Choice Award‘ for his work in Sculpture by the Sea, in 2013 he received the ‘Regional NSW Acquisition Award’, and in 2012 awarded a ‘Helen Lempriere Scholarship’ for travel and research.

Public commissions include: the Cultural Facilities Corporation, Civil and Civic/Lendlease, South Sydney City Council, Arrow International, Denman Prospect Capital Estate developments.

 Spelman’s sculptures are held in public, private and corporate collections, nationally and internationally, : United States, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand. Major works are featured in public collections, including The Snowy Valley Sculpture Trail, Bathurst Regional Gallery, Australian National University, Canberra ACT , Point Leo Estate Sculpture Park Victoria , artsACT Canberra ACT.