Robert Delves

Robert Delves’ intimate sculptures explore the complexities of the human condition. He embraces the power of the imaginative spirit to create unique and evocative works inspired by our relationship to the world around us, both physical and emotional. Compelled to interrogate these themes deeply, he often works in series. His ‘Mimesis’ series expresses his deeply felt emotional connections to others, while the ‘Fortitude’ series explores human struggle, endurance, and transformation.

Drawing is central to Robert’s practice. Many of his sculptures begin as drawings, often sketched from life. Trusting his intuition, he then allows the clay to guide him, utilising both hand building and wheel throwing techniques. He allows the figure to emerge with a life of its own. Through glazing, Robert extends upon his drawing practice, exploring tone, light and shadow with a monochromatic palette. The glaze is like a skin, adding to the unique character of each work through a variety of textures and finishes. 

Robert holds Fine Arts Degrees from RMIT and VCA. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions across Australia. In 2008 he won both the Riddoch Gallery Wood Sculpture Award and Yering Station Sculpture Award. In 2009 he received the Prometheus Visual Art Award, followed by the Heidi Sculpture Award in 2012 and the Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Sculpture Award in 2013. His works are held in corporate and private collections in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and USA. He began his association with Becker Minty in 2021.