Bob Phillips Solo Show WROUGHT at The Athenaeum in Philadelphia, PA.
Bio
Bob Phillips was born in 1962 in Philadelphia, PA, USA. He was a self taught multi-media artist who became an artist blacksmith in 1994, producing not only fine art sculpture but artistic gates, signs, railings, and lighting fixtures as well as public art for The City of Philadelphia. His widow, Cheryl Levin maintains his personal body of work which not only includes prototypes for his commissions but also hundreds of working drawings as well. These drawings were featured at The Athenaeum in 2013, (shown in photo above), in a show titled Wrought, along with a set of small sculptures by Phillips. Phillips worked in his Fishtown studio in Philadelphia, operating as Phillips Metal until his death in 2012.
The gallery of images below include works that Levin hopes to find homes for that are a fit to preserve Phillips’ legacy. Each piece of Phillips metal work shows front, back and side views along with details. Other necessary information is provided. Links are provided to Phillips web-site where you can see the final installation of the prototype if desired. If you need more information or would like to schedule a visit to take a look at a piece for placement, please e-mail Cheryl @ cheryl_levin@icloud.com.
This page is under construction. Details and more information will be added soon.
Warrior Woman
Fabricated Steel on wheeled base
Overall 7’ x 5’ x 24”
This piece has rust. Weld is missing on arm. Can be repaired.
Bob Phillips 2009
POR
Warrior Women
detail
Warrior Women
base detail
Marionettes
Discarded copper downspouts, steel and brass, fishing line
79” x 48” x 24”
A series of 5 Marionettes attached to framework with hand cranks.
Bob Phillips 2010
POR
These Marionettes were used in a puppet play produced in the home of Cheryl Levin and Robert Phillips the year before their marriage in 1992 at 150 Brown Street, Philadelphia, PA. The puppet theater called The Catapult Marionette Theater produced one show which had live drumming and was sponsored by a grant from The Pennsylvania Council for the Arts. The marionettes were placed on its hand cranked framework in 2010 for Phillips solo show at A Seed on Diamond Street titled Static Kinetic.
Phillips was very interested in making sculpture that moved and or swayed. The metals in these figures are sewn together with brass wire and the eyes blink. They are fully operational marionettes moving now by the hand cranks.
Phillips had a love of puppets.
Marionettes
front view detail
Marionettes
back view detail
Marionettes
detail
Marionettes
leg detail
Marionettes
hand crank detail
Fire Screen
Forged Steel, wire mesh and wood
64” x 36” x 11”
Bob Phillips 2010
POR
Fire Screen was produced for a group show at A Seed on Diamond Street titled Rooted in Ancestors. The screen features a frame where a photo or other item can be placed surrounded by a bed of roses in semi-circle. Phillips showed a picture of his mother Mary ,who passed away in 1994, in the empty square. There is also a wooden shelf on which he placed candles, the wax from them still evident. A symbol of his mother’s birthplace in Galway, Ireland is represented by the Celtic knot at the bottom.
Although this piece is called Fire Screen, it is a work that does not need to be used as such.
Fire Screen
detail
Fire Screen
detail
Fire Screen
detail
Spider Gate
Steel and glass
84 3/4” x 37 1/2”
Patinaed back plate. Hinges ready for hanging. Wheeled base needs be cut off for installation. Small dent on bottom right side.
Bob Phillips 2009
POR
Sider Gate
Shown with person for size reference
Spider Gate
detail
Spider Gate
detail showing base
Sider Gate
back view showing pin for hanging
Spider Gate
back View
Walking Dog
Phillips had a keen interest in sculptures that move. Enamored with Alexander Calder, he wanted to produce kinetic sculpture but lacked the time and resources. Walking Dog can literally be taken for a walk. The wheels turn and the chain is able to be folded.
Walking Dog
forged steel
52” x 36” x 12”
Bob Phillips 2010
POR
Walking Dog
full shot with chain
detail
Guitar
Pictured - Cheryl Levin with Phillips’ Guitar
forged steel on wheeled base
7’ x 24” x 30”
In keeping with his sense of whimsy, Phillips placed Guitar on a base you wouldn’t expect. Attached with a bungee cord, it’s precariousness is in keeping with Phillips’ mode of operation of using what’s at hand. All parts, except the bungee are made by Bob Phillips.
Detail of Guitar
Queens' Head Chess Piece Prototype
Steel and paper
Pieces are unglued.
26” 14”
Bob Phillips 2000
Queens’ Head Chess Piece was a commission for a private residence in Gladwynne, PA. At 12’ tall it sits on grass complete with cast glass pieces in the crown and a painted plate inside the head.
This sculpture can be seen at
https://phillipsmetal.com/scul03.html
Chess Piece
Side view
Chess PIece
detail
Chess Piece
detail
Sacred Heart
Forged Steel
Overall 30” x 12” x 7”
Base 14” x 6” x 6”
Phillips attended Catholic School as a child. He was raised by his mother in West Philadelphia and had 6 brothers and sisters. Although he had a disdain for Catholicism and did not practice it, he still produced imagery that pertained to his roots.
Sacred Heart
back view
Sacred Heart
detail front view
Sacred Heart
detail back view
Cross Maquette One
Aluminum
12” x 12” x 6”
Cross Maquette One and Two were produced for the Broad Street Ministry, which was located across from the Kimmel Center on South Broad Street. It is now closed. The ministry sought to commission Bob to make the church’s main cross and was in the works prior to Phillips’ death. This is one of a series for that work. The cross selected would have been approx. 10’ made using forged shaped hands making up the cross. It would have been spectacular.
Cross Maquette Two
Aluminum
18” x 12” x 6”
Bob Phillips
Cross Maquette
detail
Cross Maquette
base detail
Wind Vibrations
Fabricated Steel
6’ on 24” diameter base
Wind Vibrations has movement. When pushed the strands sway.
Wind Vibrations
side view
Wind Vibrations
detail
Wind Vibrations
base
Antelope Maquette
Fabricated and Painted Steel
5’4” x 5’6” x 6”
2005
Antelope Marquette was produced by Phillips for The City of Philadelphia’s PerCent for Art Program. It is installed at the Widener Brach Library in Philadelphia as a series of antelopes running along. A quote from an African proverb underneath the herd reads the following:
No one Knows the Story of Tomorrow’s Dawn
Antelope Maquette
detail
Antelope Maquette
other side
Mask
Forged Steel
24” x 10” x 10”
Philips range was varied. His intense interest in puppets and masks were constant themes through his work and life.
Mask
detail
Mask
back side
Painting
oil on wood
4’ x 4’
Phillips painted may things in the early part of his career. As he settled into his life as a blacksmith, less so, although he always drew. This painting was salvaged from his studio and is an example of Phillips’pure expression using “shape and form”.
Painting
back side
Painting
detail
Painting Two
Oil on Wood
48” x 38”
Painting Two
detail with hanging wire
Painting Two
back side
Fish Bike
Bike with forged steel
46” x 24” 26”
Fish Bike was made for Phillips son Aidan to ride in the first year of the Kensington Bike Derby.
Fish Bike
detail
Fish Bike
detail
Fish BIke
other side