Lane Sanderson, Matthew
Matthew Lane Sanderson is well known for producing highly crafted, unique and ingenious works in original settings. He is currently engaged upon a number of public art projects across the UK.
He maintains that the quality of design and craft takes precedence over all and couples this with an enormous amount of energy and what he calls ‘playing furiously’ in the early stages of research and ‘physical pressure’ in realising the final pieces. Although the works always involve a great deal of labour-intensive activity he somehow maintains the spontaneity and grace of the original concept.
Matthew learnt his trade upon his degree in 3D Design at Northumbria in Newcastle, and then on a MA course in Silversmithing in the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University. This training has helped to maintain the delicacy and beauty in his use of industrial materials and varied choice of scale. He designs and builds the sculptures himself, as they often require the design and manufacture of unique equipment to realise the designs. Although some of his projects have stretched more than seven years he is incredibly prolific for a one-man operation, with over 50 permanent works installed, and many smaller private pieces obtained through his bi-annual shows.
MLS believes that public art is more successful when people can discern that skill and honest hard work have been employed coupled with originality, the study of nature or a positive social function. He believes that you have to look back to move forward and is as busy resurrecting old crafts as finding new. He admits to being technique led and proud to say enjoys hot forging a rivet or hand piercing a film of stainless steel. Despite this love of craft he has also the will and ruthlessness you’d expect from an artist in amputating sections of work he believes distract from the central concept.