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Sculptures That I Created With Hundreds Of Thousands Of Nails
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Sculptures That I Created With Hundreds Of Thousands Of Nails

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I am a sculptor of the human physique and I use nails to create my sculptures. These artworks take me weeks, sometimes even months to finish and I use thousands of nails.

I translate my ideas onto large white wooden panels by hammering the nails at varying heights and distances to create the tone and texture. The majority of my ‘nail sculptures’ are representations of the human form. My figurative interest is in the lines we create. It was only natural I would move towards seeking out dancers whose ability to strike beautiful poses was exactly what I was trying to capture.

My original idea was to utilise the nails to create other, more abstract sculptures, but it struck me that the interplay between the rigid, angular nails and the soft curves of the human torso, would be more striking. It took me a few years of working figuratively before I could finally afford the time to embrace other more contemporary ideas and I made a very clear move to encompass my love of non-representational ideas, my latest work is in stark contrast to my figurative sculptures.

My large monumental work embraces the sense of touch and the abstract and I try to use the nails sensitively along with other materials such as Oak, COR-TEN, stainless steel, and stone. Light also plays an integral role in my work and I have to work with the idea that the very essence of the sculpture changes depending on how it is lit.

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I have also created few portraits of famous people and I was very lucky to meet them in real life.

More info: levine-art.co.uk

Dominic North

Oak Sensory Sculpture detailed close up

Portrait of Jean Claude Van Damme “Nowhere to Run”

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Detail of Jean Claude Van Damme face

Jean Claude Van Damme and I

This is me and Jean Claude Van Damme. He was down to earth and good fun to be with, he was very respectful of my Father and was truly impressed with the sculpture.

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Dominic North

Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Shadan

Shadan is an Iranian contemporary dancer and model. He approached me and ask if he could work for me this is the result. I still have a couple of wonderful poses I’d like to turn into sculpture but time is always the limiting factor. Still I managed to do of him.

Yvette

Al Pacino

Sycamore tree trunk

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This is a Sycamore tree trunk commissioned by Bradford’s Civic Art Gallery as part of my exhibition, that was displayed at Cartwright Hall for six months.

Charlotte

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Charlotte is a very pretty model and a dancer, they know intuitively how to pose for me.

Oak Sensory Sculpture

This sculpture is currently on display outside the University of Bradford. It was carved out of 4 meters of Oak tree trunk with stainless steel nails running along its length.

Charlotte

Just loved the hair passing across Charlotte’s face. I like to create hair from nails, its complex but rewarding.

COR-TEN

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I had the nails made specially for me to create this Cor-ten sculpture. The iron is used in ship building and more recently in the creation of Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North.

Almanzor the 9th

This horse is trained for film and television a stunt horse that can rise on command. Such a beautiful animal, it was a joy to work with him that sunny day in Hull.

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Marcus Levine

Marcus Levine

Author, Community member

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I have been credited with being the creator of figurative nail sculpture, completing my first sculpture in 2004. I have gone on to push the boundaries of what is possible creating ever more detailed figurative interpretations. Finally I have turned my attention to colour, creating the first coloured nail sculpture in the world.

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Marcus Levine

Marcus Levine

Author, Community member

I have been credited with being the creator of figurative nail sculpture, completing my first sculpture in 2004. I have gone on to push the boundaries of what is possible creating ever more detailed figurative interpretations. Finally I have turned my attention to colour, creating the first coloured nail sculpture in the world.

What do you think ?
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Cesi Baca
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never ever have I looked at a nail and seen what this man sees in them. Long live artists everywhere!

Melody Lanzatella
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Out of ALL of the art Ive seen in my life, your pieces with nails are my favorite! They are incredible! In the Charlotte piece though, as I was looking at the photo, I can definitely tell that I am missing part of the experience of it by only seeing it in a photo! I also love how you are able to take those hard, cold, sharp nails and create such lovely soft kines with them! SO talented!

Benny Lava
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very impressive work! I really love the texture of the leather jackets.

Katrina Green
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I thought that they meant fingernails. There's actually a woman who collects fingernails and makes tiny sculptures out of them.

Alice Marin
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nails... My mind just blew up before I got it was the other nails......

Spikey-Bunny
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an artist who loves pointillism, I'm hugely impressed! Keep on hammering!

Kwihui Halliday
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy moly! ???? What's there to say?! Awesome talent! Wish I can afford one of his creations. Fantastic!!

Martin Čapek
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh god, at first I thought about sculptures made of fingernails :D

John Kuki
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do with nails, what would be impossible for most with pencil or paint. Massively impressed.

Algirdas, Remigijus Gataveckas
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful work, nice. You like my work? https://www.boredpanda.com/for-1460-days-i-was-drawing-young-people-from-childrens-house/

Lee
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing I'd love to see these in person I bet they would be even better.

Cesi Baca
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never ever have I looked at a nail and seen what this man sees in them. Long live artists everywhere!

Melody Lanzatella
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Out of ALL of the art Ive seen in my life, your pieces with nails are my favorite! They are incredible! In the Charlotte piece though, as I was looking at the photo, I can definitely tell that I am missing part of the experience of it by only seeing it in a photo! I also love how you are able to take those hard, cold, sharp nails and create such lovely soft kines with them! SO talented!

Benny Lava
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very impressive work! I really love the texture of the leather jackets.

Katrina Green
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I thought that they meant fingernails. There's actually a woman who collects fingernails and makes tiny sculptures out of them.

Alice Marin
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nails... My mind just blew up before I got it was the other nails......

Spikey-Bunny
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an artist who loves pointillism, I'm hugely impressed! Keep on hammering!

Kwihui Halliday
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy moly! ???? What's there to say?! Awesome talent! Wish I can afford one of his creations. Fantastic!!

Martin Čapek
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh god, at first I thought about sculptures made of fingernails :D

John Kuki
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do with nails, what would be impossible for most with pencil or paint. Massively impressed.

Algirdas, Remigijus Gataveckas
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful work, nice. You like my work? https://www.boredpanda.com/for-1460-days-i-was-drawing-young-people-from-childrens-house/

Lee
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing I'd love to see these in person I bet they would be even better.

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