Corporate commissions
SmithKline Beecham pharmaceutical laboratory 1995. Fibreglass relief painted in oils 183 x 92cms I was given access to wander around the laboratory in protective gear, similar to the woman covering her shoes next to the white rubber boots (lower middle). A machine like a washing machine coated pills with sugary coverings, the pills later inspected on a conveyor belt (lower right). Several years later I was commissioned to record the building of GSK new headquarters when SmithKline merged with Glaxo see ‘Construction projects’ in this website
“LIFFE” London International Financial Futures Exchange 1991, relief painted in oils 109 x 90cms ‘LIFFE’, London Financial Futures Exchange. Two versions of the same image were made… Bronze resin version, (right) fibre glass & resin painted in oils. Photographs weren’t permitted on the trading floor. I was given an orange jacket to wander with a sketch book to capture the scene, as “a runner”, the back of my head can be spotted with a plaid, far right side. Rapid hand signals & sign communication happened as the numbers on the overhead sign boards changed. The sketches were used as reference to compose the relief image.
“Traders, Salamon Brothers” HK 1995, painted in oils 130 x 95cms. The first commission I received in Hong Kong, during the time I had my first exhibition. I was told to look as business like as possible, to be able to spend time on the trading floor taking photographs & blending with the environment. The office had great views over Kowloon seen through the large windows. The relief was made in London as at that time I was not yet living in HK, pre digital cameras & internet, many images had to be sent by post. The box like computers & telephone wires now look very dated. Apparently it ended up in the World Trade Centre so maybe it is no more…
“Traders at UBS Phillips and Drew” London 1992 Fibreglass relief painted in oils 126 x 96.5cm Trading floor at UBS in Broadgate, London. I had a small desk on the trading floor & got to learn of various office shenanigans that was suggested I include in discreet ways. Not sure the people involved ever noticed, so if they should ever stumble on this website they might find out. There was a woman having an affair with one of her colleagues who can be seen sitting next to her, on her computer screen is a small yellow sticker saying her husband called. There are lots of other incidents which I will leave for you to find out or imagine. I’m wandering at the back of the room, top left with sketch book in hand wearing a grey jumper.