Son of Manchester born architect RM Manby, who was of Scottish descent and the painter Judith Da Fano, Simon Manby is the grandson of Dorothea Landau, a Pre-Raphaelite artist taught by Legros and Auguste Rodin and is the great grandson of Alessandro Da Fano, once Chief Rabbi of Italy.

Simon Manby has lived and worked in Staffordshire since 1967 when he was appointed to teach sculpture at Stoke College of Art. Leaving lecturing in 1972 to work as a freelance artist he and his wife, the Scottish painter Lee Mackay, converted a stone building at their home to make a studio and showroom for the display of their work.

“My main commitment is to a free and expressive use of the figure, working mainly in clay for ultimate firing or casting in bronze or iron. My language is that of our own bodies, something with which we are all intuitively familiar. The themes that interest me are usually based on direct observation of other people, at the seaside, on a train, in a bus queue or in domestic life. There lies some kind of vicarious and empathetic inspiration.

I find an infinite challenge in making sculpture, making the elements of composition, volume, space, proportion, rhythm and line work together in harmonious expression. This is what constantly fascinates and draws me  to the studio.’ 

For many years dedicated to direct carving and letter cutting, Simon Manby also has a lifelong interest in drawing. Along with printmaking, this has included archaeological drawings, landscapes and book illustrations in a variety of media. His work has been widely exhibited in the UK and abroad and collected by many distinguished patrons.

Education

1955 – 1959 Gordonstoun

1960 – 1966 Trained in Sculpture under Eric Schilsky, Edinburgh College of Art

Andrew Grant Scholar and Post Diploma Scholar

1989 – 1991 MA Architectural History, Keele University

One-man exhibitions

2007 A Sharing of Experience, Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield Arts Festival

2006 At Home and Abroad Exhibition of Drawings, Abbotsholme School

2005 Feelings given Form, Borough Museum and Art Gallery, Newcastle-under-Lyme

2005 Forms of Emotion, Central Art Gallery, Ashton-under-Lyne

2004 Esprit de la Plage, Espace Molière Agde, France

2003 Lightness with Gravity. Hourglass Gallery, Hebden Bridge

2003 Celebrate The Human Spirit, The Richmond Hill Gallery

2003 In The Face Of Gravity, The Derby Museum and Art Gallery

2002 Joy for Life, Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield Arts Festival

2002 A Tender Sensuality, The Sheridan Russell Gallery, London

2000 Out of This World, The Borough Museum and Art Gallery, Newcastle-under- Lyme

1999 Figure and Form Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield International Arts Festival

1995 Abbotsholme School, Staffordshire

1993 The Stones of Venus, Brantwood, the Lakeland home of John Ruskin

1983 Royal Agricultural Show, Stoneleigh

1982 Royal Agricultural Show, Stoneleigh

Two-man exhibition

2007 Compass Gallery, Glasgow

Compass Gallery, London Art Fair

Cyril Gerber Fine Art, Glasgow

2005 Thompson’s Gallery, Marylebone

2003 The Harbone Gallery, Birmingham

1999 Using the Visible World, Sheridan Russell Gallery, London

1986 Gritstone, St. Michael’s Gallery, Derby

1982 Old Mill Gallery, Tutbury

1981 Calton Gallery, Edinburgh

1980 St Michael’s Gallery, Derby

1972 Abbotsholme School, Staffordshire

Exhibitions

2008 Thompson’s Gallery, Marylebone, Annual Sculpture Exhibition

2008 Paisley Art Institute, Kowalsky Gallery, London

2007 Compass Gallery, London Art Fair

Compass Gallery, Glasgow Art Fair

Cyril Gerber Fine Art, Glasgow

2006 Newby Hall, North Yorkshire

2005- Thompson’s Gallery, Aldeburgh, Suffolk

2004- Thompson’s Gallery, Marylebone, London

2003 The Harborne Gallery, Birmingham

2002 Gold Gallery, Edinburgh

2002 Richmond Hill Gallery, London

2001 Summer Exhibition, Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh

2000- Wendy Levy Contemporary Art, Manchester

1995 – 2000 Kingfisher Gallery, Edinburgh

1995 Primavera, Cambridge

1995 Art for Parks & Gardens, organised by Ikon Gallery with East Staffordshire Borough Council

1993 Wedgewood Memorial Sculpture Garden

1992 Wedgewood Memorial Sculpture Garden

1991 Off the Wall Brewhouse, Burton upon Trent

1986 Brantwood, Coniston

1984- Manchester Academy of Fine Art

1980s C20th Gallery, London

1975-85 Philip Francis Gallery, Sheffield

1966 Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh

Awards and memberships

1994 Elected Member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts

1994 The McGrigor Donald Sculpture Award, Royal Scottish Academy

Demonstrations,Talks, Masterclasses, Projects in Schools

1990 Sundry Courses: Working with Clay; Stonecarving; Life Drawing

Abbotsholme School; Newcastle Community School; Madeley High School; Trent College; Bolton School, Girls’ Division; Burnwood Community School and Hollywall School, Stoke on Trent

Derbyshire Adult Education

East Staffordshire Adult Education

Frink School of Sculpture

Keele University, Department of Adult and Continuing Education

Derby University, Department of Drama Therapy

Reviews

“Simon Manby’s stone-carved figures must be prized for their voluptuous decoration and bulk, but a Caryatid, posed kneeling, will provoke considerable thought.” John Gage, The Scotsman May 1994

“Sculptor Simon Manby is carving a niche of success – after scooping a top arts prize.”

John Atkin Derby Evening Telegraph April 1994

“It is good to see sculpture represented in this show by Simon Manby. Sleeping Head is an ovoid Brancusi-like carving…and Looking Ahead is a piece of knowing, cool and post-cubist abstraction.” George Mallalieu The Sentinel June 1998

“Simon Manby’s work has that traditional aura about it…, but do not underestimate the sensuality if Manby’s work. The human figure is the usual starting point….Everything appears simple, organic, celebratory of form…A magnanimous contentment born of sure foundations.” Gabriel Gregory The Sentinel June 2000

“Manby has a formidable pedigree, coming from a line of distinguished artists. His work also has a pedigree; though free of mannerisms, it comes to us by way of Lipchitz, Greco and Maillol… It is at once both serious and joyous…It is a celebration of the human spirit through the expressiveness of human form….Humour, poetry, vulnerability and poignancy are all present…” John Fineran Derby Evening Telegraph January 2003