A ‘spectacular’ lifetime collection of paintings, prints and sculptures by an award-winning British-born artist who moved to America in childhood is set for auction.
In 1958 Hugh Charles Culley, then an 11-year-old youngster from the back streets of Derby, emigrated to the USA with his family. He went on to become an accomplished artist in America winning many state and national awards.
Now, at the age of 77, he is parting with much of his life’s work and it is hoped it will put him on the map in the country of his birth. His art and sculpture will be offered by Hansons Auctioneers on October 22.
The firm’s art expert Edwyn Pym said: “I hope this auction bring Hugh’s work to a whole new audience. These spectacular and diverse offerings from a man of exceptional talent could realise more than £24,000 at auction and deservedly so.
“Having spent most of his life in America, Hugh has gone under the radar. Many people in England and the city of his birth, Derby, will be unaware of his achievements in the States. This sale will shine the spotlight on his talent.
“Hugh studied and worked with John Battenberg (1931-2012), an American sculptor whose work is in museum collections throughout the USA. He also has lectured, led workshops, written articles on metal-working techniques for national magazines and exhibited his works throughout the western United States.
“But life has come full circle. In 2022 Hugh moved back to England, more specifically, Derbyshire. Now he has decided to offer many of his most important works to collectors. Some 48 lots including seven sculptures and numerous prints and paintings will go under the hammer at Hansons.”
One of the most outstanding pieces is The Escaped Dragon, a large sculpture in unfabricated steel measuring 117cm high x 128cm wide x 62cm deep (194cm high with plinth). It won an international Gold Award in the 1997 Ernest Wiemann Top Job Contest and carries an estimate of £12,000-£15,000. An equally striking sculpture is lot 3, The Hand of Franz Litszt Searching for Music in a Tree, in forged and fabricated steel, signed and dated 2004, estimate £600-£800.
Hugh’s mixed media works span several decades and draw inspiration from many sources. For example, Lot 9, Fledglings, is a coloured pencil on paper offering made in 1985, £150-£250. Nature also inspires Lot 43, Chameleon Dreams, an original pencil drawing plus artist’s proof of the same image, £150-250. Meanwhile, Lot 50, Cell Life, is a modern, bold and colourful acrylic on canvas, £150-250.
Hugh said: “I am selfish in some ways in that I always wanted to keep the things I made. I thought they were a part of who I am, images of my deepest thoughts and feelings I may not have always wanted to share. But the images I’ve created should be shared because I feel they are unique and if nothing else will show there is always room for fresh ideas and a look, not only from the inside of the box looking out but also from outside looking in.
“I think perspective is what that is called and it’s good to realise there is always a fresh perspective with endless ways and possibilities to express ideas. After a stint in the US Army during the Vietnam conflict I started working in a factory running large metal-forming machinery for stamping large-scale metal parts. My continuing work in metal shops in Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area and Utah all added to my skills and practical knowledge of forming metal. This helped tremendously in my sculpting, eventually leading me to university where I studied with renowned sculptor John Battenberg, famous for his ground-breaking aluminium sculptures.
“While much of what I do in art is mentally intense and physically difficult to construct, it has forced me into a work ethic that is in itself progressive. For me, the visual language of art expression is a filtering process where the least likely thing might give rise to inspiration, and the most obvious may leave no impression at all.
“Of course, I now have a vast collection of working drawings for my metal sculptures as well as finished drawings and paintings that stand on their own as finished works of art. To me art has never needed a reason to be, it is simply a part of who and what we are. To communicate through art is tO further our commitment of connection to one another.
“My return to England in 2022 was not prompted by any like or dislike of a geographic location. My relationship to the land has always been one of unconditional love no matter where on the planet I found myself.
“As much as I am enamoured by the openness and wild spaces of the American West I am equally fascinated by the intimacy of the English countryside and the beauty of its villages. My return to Derbyshire after living abroad for so many years came about through finding personal love. Settling back in England was easy with the woman I love.
“I find inspiration in this new life and continue my work in art. I have found great joy in setting up a new workspace. As important as it is to let things go and move on in life it is equally if not more important to gain new insights bringing in new light and new horizons in the time we have.”
Auction: The Hugh Charles Culley collection will be offered on October 22, 2024 at Hansons Auctioneers’ Derbyshire saleroom.
Enquiries/viewings: Edwyn Pym: [email protected] | 01283 733988.
Catalogue: www.hansonslive.co.uk I www.the-saleroom.com
