Veteran sculptor of over 60 years experience. Nigel Konstam is the owner and founder of the Verrocchio Art Centre and lives and works here all the year round. Unbelieveably, he is almost 80 years old but is a wonderful, humerous and patient teacher. He has inspired total novices to discover the joy of carving and modelling. He has had some incredibly talanted students over the years that have discovered and developed their skills from beginners to highly accomplished sculptors here in Casole. Much in demand for commissioned work, you will thoroughly enjoy sculpting alongside Nigel on the sculpture terrace or in his refreshingly cool sculpure studio.
Nigel's courses run concurrently with the other art courses and can be taken for one or two weeks. As Nigel lives here all the year round students are welcome to come for tuition at any time. However it is fun to come while other courses are on to enjoy the stimulation of the company of painting, singing or cooking students.
His art historical research, particularly into painters' use of mirrors is well known. These studies have led him to a new way of understanding visual imagination and therefore new methods of extending its range and power. Take this link to a site dedicated to Nigel Konstam's art historical research on Rembrandt Van Rijn. [This link will open a new window.] Nigel has a blog where all matters related to his philosophy of art and art history are discussed with new articles being added all the time. This will be available again soon as it is currently under construction.
Nigel Konstam's foundry discoveries were published in The Oxford Journal of Archaeology in May 2002. A second Article was published in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology in the November 2004 issue on 'Life Casting'.
Many solo shows of his work have been mounted - in London, Madrid, Barcelona, Salamanca, Pisa and Florence. He has done portraits of King Juan-Carlos and Queen Sofia as well as many well known musicians. He has published in Apollo, The Burlington, TheArtist, Leonardo and Rembrandthuiskroniek. His teaching aims to provide a sound basis for personal vision. The courses are designed to develop the powers of observation, stimulate the imagination and enrich the studens' appreciation of art. They are suitable as part of a general education as well as for those whose aims are professional.
Latest edition of Nigel's book now available. See REVIEW.
Nigel Konstam's new web site: www.nigelkonstam.com
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Nancy GT, CA, USA
My husband came to the centre just to relax while I took a painting class. He had no intention of doing anything except reading and relaxing. However Nigel offered to show him how to carve and he made a carving and to this day he is so proud of it. He was amazed at what he was able to do.
