News & Exhibitions - Maurice Blik

February to March 2023

Artobiography: The Art of Survival

My artobiography, The Art of Survival, was published in 2022 by HeavyPress iNK. It is a first hand account of my experience as a five-year-old boy in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, and explores links between this history and key bodies of my work.

The book has been produced as a collectors' limited-edition hardback with slipcase. Each one is individually signed by me.

Available from the following book shops: Red Lion Books, Colchester; Blackwells Bookshops; and Coles Books.

May to July 2022

Finalist: Aphra Behn Memorial, Canterbury

I am honoured to have been chosen as one of four finalists in a competition to create a lifesize memorial to the pioneering 17th Century writer, Aphra Behn.

My maquette, entitled 'Mind Over Matter', aims to celebrate Behn for her literary achievements, rather than her dress and appearance, and in a contemporary manner befitting a woman who was ahead of her time in so many ways.

The commissioning body, The Canterbury Commemoration Society, were founded in 1966 to celebrate the history and heritage of Canterbury. The winner will be announced later this summer.

November to December 2021

The Winter Exhibition

A small selection of my work is included in The Winter Exhibition: Sculpture from 1870 to the present day, currently on view at Bowman Sculpture Gallery, 6 Duke Street, St James', London.

Featured artists include:
Gilbert Bayes
Hanneke Beaumont
Healaine Blumenfeld OBE
Alfred Drury
Elizabeth Frink
Sir Alfred Gilbert
Pablo Picasso
Auguste Rodin
John Skeaping
Emily Young

The exhibition runs until 20 December 2021. Please visit Bowman Sculpture website for opening hours.

September 2021 to January 2022

RA Summer Exhibition 2021

Two of my bronze sculptures have been selected for inclusion in the RA Summer Exhibition, which opened in London on 22 September.

The sculptures, 'Windswept' and 'Hurrying' (RA catalogue no's. 544 and 545) are from my latest body of work, 'digging deep', which portrays the feel rather than the look of everyday experiences using a unique, self-developed modelling technique. I am delighted to say that 'Hurrying' sold at the Opening.

My sculptures can be found in Room IV, curated by Bob and Roberta Smith RA.

The RA Summer Exhibiton runs until 2 January 2022. Browse selected works at www.roy.ac/explore, or visit the RA website for more information.

July to August 2021

EA Festival Sculpture Exhibition

An ambitious sculpture exhibition set amidst the verdant grounds of Hedingham Castle opens on 31st July as part of the inaugural EA Festival (31 Jul - 1 Aug).

'Beyond the Moment', curated and organised by Adam Robinson, comprises of around 16 large scale sculptures, mostly installed around the Castle's lake, including works by me (Maurice Blik), Laurence Edwards, Jonathan Clarke, and other invited artists.

There is a FREE guided tour of the sculpture garden at 1:30 pm on Sunday 1st August, hosted by Adam Robinson, when I and several other participating artists will be on hand to talk about our work. For more information on how to attend, visit www.eafestival.com/sculpture-garden.

The sculpture exhibition will remain in place until 18 September 2021.

October 2020

Maurice Blik: Then and Now

'Then and Now' incorporates a selection of sculpture from my traditional, figurative body of work, as well as some of my most recent creations, with eight new sculptures included in the exhibition.

Amongst the new artworks are my artist's plaster for the English National Ballet 'Emerging Dancer' trophy, for which I was recently commissioned; two male torsos; working plasters of figures taken from my maquette 'For Love of Cyprus'; and three new standing figures. Some of the sculptures being exhibited are my original working models which will not be available for sale, but which nonetheless give an insight into the evolution of my work and working methods.

I will be available to meet with visitors at Sculpt Gallery on Saturday 3 October. Pre-booking is essential. Please email debrablik@sculptgallery.com or for further information and a preview of the exhibition, visit www.sculptgallery.com

September to October 2020

English National Ballet: Emerging Dancer of the Year Trophy

I am delighted to have been commissioned to produce an annual trophy for the English National Ballet 'Emerging Dancer' competition.

Depicting a male and female dancer, and measuring 33cm high, the trophy was sculpted in clay before being cast at Bronze Age Foundry, London.

For more information please visit www.ballet.org.uk

A selection of my sculpture, including an artist's cast of the ENB trophy, will be exhibited at Sculpt Gallery from 3-17 October. For details, please go to www.sculptgallery.com or t: 07980768616.

July 2019

For Love of Cyprus

This bronze panel, my largest work to date, was commissioned by The Arkin International Group.

The relief panel, measuring approximatley 6.5 m x 4.5 m was erected on the fascia of the Group's new flagship head-office in Kyrenia in 2019.

Entitled 'For Love of Cyprus', it represents the history and turmoil of the region, with hope for unity symbolised by a male and female embracing at the top of the panel.

Two more of my monumental bronze sculptures stand either side of a large clocktower which forms part of this landmark building.

Image by Emre Ekinci.

April to May 2019

Maurice Blik Plasters

An exhibition of plasters of recent work to celebrate my eightieth Birthday. Only one plaster of each sculpture will be available for sale. The exhibition will also include original sketches and limited edition etchings.

Private View: Sunday 21 April, 11.00am - 1pm.
Sculpt Gallery, Braxted Park Rd, Essex CO5 0QB

Exhibition ends 11 May. Open Saturdays 11am-4pm and by arrangement.

To attend the PV, please contact: debrablik@sculptgallery.com. www.sculptgallery.com

April to May 2018

Maurice Blik Solo Exhibition

A major solo exhibition of my new sculpture will take place at Bowman Sculpture Gallery, 6 Duke Street St James', London. The exhibition runs from 13 April - 4 May 2018.

There will be a Private View on 12th April. If you would like to attend the PV please contact the gallery directly.

The exhibition will feature a series of figurative bronzes, representing an exciting new direction for my work.

For further information please contact Bowman Sculpture on 0207 9300277 or visit the website: www.bowmansculpture.com

October 2017

International Arkin Group Collection

Two of my monumental bronze sculptures - 'Touching Victory' and 'Second Breath' have been acquired as part of the International Arkin Group sculpture collection in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus.

The two sculptures are currently on display in the courtyard of the Arkin Group's newly opened University of the Arts (ARUCAD) and will subsequently be moved to their permanent home on the clock tower of the Group's new Head Office.

July 2017

Dedication of 'Every Which Way' Memorial

My memorial to commemorate the British Evacuees Association (BEA) was officially unveiled at a Dedication Ceremony held at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, on 25th July 2017.

The Ceremony was attended by around 500 people, including many members of the BEA. The Guest of Honour was His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester.

May to August 2017

Every Which Way

A 4.5 metre-long memorial commissioned by the British Evacuees Association is in the final stages of completion.

The sculpture has been cast in bronze at the Milwyn Foundry, Leatherhead, UK and is now awaiting its granite plinth.

The completed sculpture, depicting a long line of children holding hands, weighed down by their luggage and gas masks, will be installed at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, in July 2017.

Details of the official unveiling to follow.

Image: Adding the final details to the sculpture in my studio.

January 2017

Antiques Roadshow Holocaust Special

A special edition of the Antiques Roadshow, looking at artefacts from the Holocaust and exploring the extraordinary stories behind them will air on Sun 15 Jan 2017 on BBC 1 at 8pm. It will include footage from interviews conducted by Natasha Kaplinsky with a number of British Holocaust survivors, including my own story and a selection of my sculptures.

July 2016 to July 2017

Evacuees Memorial Under Way

Work on the long-awaited National Memorial to the evacuation of children from British cities during WW2 is now under way.

The Memorial, entitled 'Every Which Way' has been commissioned by the British Evacuees Association and will be sited at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.

The sculpture depicting 11 children holding hands is now well advanced and is due to be cast in early Spring 2017. The finished memorial will be 4.5 metres wide.

Image: 'Every Which Way' maquette.

July 2016

Hollow Dog Film Documentary

An award-winning film documentary by Clive A Martin about my life story and work was completed by Yamedia in 2016.

The film was given a private screening in London's Leicester Square in July 2016, and was subsequently shown at various film festivals worldwide.

September 2015

Open Studio September 19th 2015

Bronze sculptures and a new series of 11 photographic limited edition Giclee prints.

Studio open from 10am - 5.30pm. Light refreshments will be served all day.All welcome.

Braxted Park Rd, Nr Great Braxted, Essex CO5 0QB
t: 07980768616

Image: 'Source' limited edition photographic print, signed and editioned. One of a series of new prints inspired by found textures.

The 'Source' series of prints will also be exhibited at The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea from 21-25 October 2015.

April 2015

Video of Selected Commissions by Maurice Blik

A short video showcasing some of my external sculptures in the UK has been produced by film maker, Clive A Martin. The video captures four of my most significant commissions to date: 'Renaissance'; 'Behold'; 'At First Light'; and 'Second Breath'. View Maurice Blik video.

Image: 'At First Light'. Photographed by Clive A Martin. Copyright Clive A Martin.

For further information contact: cliveamartin@btinternet.com.

March to April 2015

'The Art of Casting'

A selection of my figurative bronzes will be exhibited at Sculpt Gallery from March - April 2015, alongside bronzes by Naomi Blake FRBS and Simon Bacon.

The Art of Casting will focus on sculptural process and materials. The exhibition will be accompanied by a short video demonstrating the traditional 'lost wax' method of casting bronze, courtesey of Bronze Age Foundry, London.

For more information or to receive an invitation to the Private View please visit www.sculptgallery.com or email info@sculptgallery.com.

September 2014

Maurice Blik: Open Studio 2014

Open for two weekends in September - an opportunity to glimpse the artist's studio and work in progress.

20th & 28th September, 10am - 5pm.

Braxted Park Rd, Nr Great Braxted, Essex, CO5 0QB
T: 07980768616

May 2013

Installation of 'About Face' at Regent's Quarter, Kings Cross, London UK

'About Face', a sculpture for which I was commissioned by P&O, has been installed at Stable Studios in the Regent's Quarter development at Kings Cross, London. The two-part bronze sculpture depicts a weathered male head looking up from the ground towards a gold-leafed female portrait on the adjascent wall.

The male head symbolises a history of heavy industry in the area, whilst the female head conveys aspiration as she gazes towards the future.

The buildings will be occupied by MacMillan Publishing Company.

September 2012

Maurice Blik: 'Into the Light' 2012 - Sculpt Gallery, Essex, UK

Exhibition Dates: 13 Oct - 17 Nov 2012

'Into the Light' is a retrospective, solo exhibition - the first comprehensive exhibition of my sculpture for several years. The exhibition includes many bronzes from the '80s and '90s, and showcases my transition towards using lighter patinas in recent years.

For a copy of the catalogue and further details, please contact Sculpt Gallery www.sculptgallery.com or email e:info@sculptgallery.com

April to August 2012

Monumental sculptures by Maurice Blik at Woburn Abbey

Three of my monumental sculptures are being exhibited in the gardens at Woburn Abbey in this year's Artbeat 2012 taking place from April 6 - August 31. They include 'Renaissance' - the original bronze of which is sited at East India Dock, London.

Woburn Artbeat is an annual project now entering its third year. It promotes high quality, original art with a prominent sculpture exhibition set in the secure 36 acre gardens at Woburn Abbey - belonging to The Duke and Duchess of Bedford.