BGS WELCOMES 'SOUTHERN SHADE I. 2012' BY OLD BRISTOLIAN NIGEL HALL

Over half term this October (2025) BGS took receipt of a prototype sculpture by Old Bristolian Nigel Hall (OB 1960)

Born 1943 in Bristol, Nigel Hall studied at the West of England College of Art, Bristol from 1960-64 and the Royal College of Art, London form 1964-67.  A Harkness fellowship took him to the America from 1967-69 and he has also received the Pollock Krasner Award and the Jack Hill Royal Academy Sculpture Prize. In 2003 he was elected a Royal Academician and has held teaching posts at the Royal College of Art and Chelsea School of Art in London, and the Rome School, Italy. 

Southern Shade I. 2012 was made in MDF as a prototype for a series of bronze versions made in 2012 but has been exhibited at the RA, Gloucester Cathedral and Canary Wharf. The sculptures were inspired by Nigel's time in the South of France and his drawings of plants, particularly parasol pines, which are expressed through interwoven linear elements that represent both the solid form and the "shadow interior". The series includes pieces in various materials like bronze, painted steel, and aluminum, which are designed to be visually light despite their weight and to shift with the viewer's perspective.  

We hope to welcome Nigel to BGS in the coming months to see his sculpture in situ and thank him for all his support of the 500 campaign and the school in recent years. 

Find out more about Nigel

• Nigel's website
• Nigel's Instagram
• Watch Nigel talk about his time at BGS