Steve Winterburn's legendary sculptures feature in public installations, galleries, and collectors' homes across the nation. From heart-warming and authentic memorials to sports legends in key stadiums, to ferocious animal sculptures inspired by his first-hand experiences with wildlife conservation around the world for over 10 years. Steve's art fuses the work of artist and artisan as he runs his own bronze-casting studio that calls upon thousand-year old techniques from foundrymen to create incredibly detailed bronze artworks.
In his family-run foundry, Steve Winterburn, a celebrated artist of bronze casting, has mastered age-old techniques in mould-making and the manipulation of molten bronze, drawing upon closely guarded secrets passed down through generations of foundrymen.
Through decades of hard work and dedication, Steve has achieved remarkable milestones as a self-taught artist. His sculptures grace prominent cities across the country, including prestigious stadiums where he has completed major sporting commissions. The unveiling of his monumental public and private commissions has captured the attention of the press and media, with installations showcased in iconic venues such as London’s Wembley Stadium, The National Arboretum, and the London Stock Exchange.
With a profound grasp of engineering and design, Steve embarks on a journey of challenge and experimentation fuelled by his unwavering passion. Establishing his own studio in Yorkshire in 2002, he takes on the unique task of personally crafting each sculpture from inspiration to creation—a departure from the conventional approach where various specialized artisans handle distinct stages of production.
Utilizing the lost-wax process, also known as cire perdue, Steve casts his sculptures in bronze—a method steeped in ancient tradition. Here, molten metal is poured into a mold formed around a wax model, only for the wax to be melted away, leaving behind a pristine bronze form. The addition of a carefully applied patina, a thin layer that develops through oxidation and other chemical reactions, imbues the sculpture with depth and vitality, breathing life into the subject.
Steve's artistic evolution is a testament to his commitment to growth and exploration. Inspired by masterful sculptures encountered during a sojourn in Greece, his style has evolved from meticulously detailed work to a more liberated and expressive approach. This metamorphosis reflects his deepening understanding of anatomy and his burgeoning confidence as an artist.
"After a trip to Greece and seeing sculptures by the masters, I was inspired to sculpt so that I could create 'reality'. Over the years, my style has evolved: it has progressed from 'modelled' work with a great amount of detail, to my current style, which is a lot looser. This is because I now understand the anatomy and have gained confidence, which has allowed me to be more expressive with my art."
Driven by his passion for wildlife conservation, Steve's artistic endeavours often intertwine with his experiences during his travels. From learning from a tiger expert in India to seeing with cheetah cubs in Africa, each encounter enriches his understanding and informs his artistry. Recounting a memorable encounter tracking gorillas in the Rwandan mountains, Steve reflects on the awe-inspiring presence of these majestic creatures and the humbling moments of vulnerability encountered amidst their domain.
While the foundry was established in 2002, the techniques employed by the Winterburn family trace their lineage back thousands of years. Drawing inspiration from age-old practices, they have meticulously honed their skills through continuous research and development, blending the timeless wisdom with contemporary advancements in materials and techniques.
Through a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation, the Winterburn’s have curated a unique artistic legacy, characterized by the seamless integration of modern methodologies with time-honoured artisanal practices. This deliberate synthesis allows them to achieve unparalleled levels of excellence and craftsmanship in their creations, ensuring that each piece radiates with authenticity and distinction.
As custodians of a rich artistic heritage, the Winterburn family remains steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, perpetuating a legacy of craftsmanship that transcends generations. Their unwavering dedication to preserving the artistry of fine bronze casting serves as a testament to their enduring commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation. Find out more about Steve’s technique here.
Over the past two decades, Steve has perfected his craft, developing unique techniques and a distinctive style that sets his work apart. Every sculpture, crafted in his family-run foundry, bears the hallmark of his dedication and artistic vision. From applying a handcrafted patina to infusing each piece with organic movement, Steve's artistry shines through, evoking a profound appreciation for the natural world.
Beyond the confines of galleries and exhibitions, Steve's sculptures have found homes in prestigious collections and iconic venues worldwide. His recent unveiling of the legendary Welsh rugby 'codebreakers' statue in Cardiff Bay stands as a testament to his enduring impact and growing acclaim in the art world.
Based in Yorkshire, Steve Winterburn's intricate bronze sculptures reflect over 20 years of experimentation and artistic success. His work has found acclaim in renowned establishments like Harrods, Selfridges, Sotheby’s, and Christies. Drawing from his innate understanding of engineering and wildlife, Steve infuses his artwork with inspiration gleaned from his extensive travels as a conservation trustee spanning over a decade.
Steve Winterburn’s eclectic body of sculptures represent a deep understanding and respect for his subjects, visually encapsulating some of the world’s most striking creatures in bronze with subtle, organic movement that denotes life.
The raw power of Peaky Blinders and its characters ignited a fire of inspiration for Winterburn’s latest sculpture titled after the show’s mystifying title music, ‘Red Right Hand’. Born and raised in the Midlands, and spending much of his early days working in factories, he feels a connection with the series as a story born out of working-class revolution.
Depicting the notorious Shelby brothers, this carefully crafted with fine bronze sculpture by Steve Winterburn transports viewers back to the dark iconography of the much-loved series.
In his new contemporary style, the expressive horse head sculpted by Steve Winterburn is driven by an elemental and spiritual standpoint. Sculpted with strong and striking textures, the artist was inspired by the power of Earth, capturing a real presence of peace and tranquillity, whilst celebrating the beautiful animals for their grace and strength.
With 'Grounded Serenity', the sculpture captured the real presence of peace and tranquillity, emulating feelings of belonging and home. Sculpted with strong and striking textures, the composition of the piece was contrastingly mounted on its nose, giving a warm gently edge to the bronze sculpture. A conscious effort from Steve, this intends to portray the duality of the beautiful creatures, although big and powerful, they are also very gently and loving.
The Black Panther Series is a fantastic showcase of what Steve's art entails, not only as a skilled sculptor and foundryman but with its striking patination and colour, the result is a compelling series I can't wait to see on display in our galleries.
At Yorkshire Fine Arts, the Winterburn family upholds a steadfast commitment to maintaining the intimate, hands-on approach to traditional fine art bronze casting. With each member actively engaged in the operations of the foundry, a sense of familial dedication permeates every aspect of their craft. Although Yorkshire Fine Arts' foundry has only operated since 2002, the Winterburn family's techniques trace back millennia. Over years of research and development, they've perfected their craft, blending modern materials with age-old artisan practices. Every stage of their process is meticulously carried out by hand on site, ensuring each piece is distinct in its creation.
From the initial sketch and armature, to the powerful bronze pour and adding of patina, every sculpture is meticulously produced under Steve’s singular eye. The result is a series of meticulous sculptures that are authentic to the artist's vision and dynamic representations of the long history of bronze.
For over a decade, Steve Winterburn has traversed the globe as a conservationist, fuelled by a profound passion for wildlife and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. His role as a trustee for esteemed organizations like Care for the Wild International has provided him with invaluable first hand experiences, allowing him to intimately connect with the animals he immortalizes in bronze.
Drawing from his encounters and observations in the wild, Steve infuses his sculptures with a captivating essence, capturing the power, beauty, and resilience of creatures like horses, cheetahs, tigers, and gorillas. Through an intricate process of bronze casting, Steve breathes life into his creations, emphasizing the soulful depth found in their eyes.
On getting up close and personal, Steve says: “Eyes are so important to me because, ‘eyes are the window to the soul.’ When you see animals in the wild, you judge everything from their eyes. There is a real clarity in them. You can see if they are happy, angry, agitated and many other emotions.”
Atop a four-metre-high monument sits Steve Winterburn’s latest public sculpture - a magnificent bronze tiger head - at the Leicester Tigers rugby union ground.
A spectacular sculpture that took three years to complete, Steve Winterburn's commission for Rugby League Cares was unveiled at Wembley Stadium in August 2015 for the 120th anniversary of the day that the sport was created. It features five stars of the sport who come together to celebrate each generation of rugby.
Commemorating the historic town's important mining history, Steve Winterburn's sculpture installation at Wigan Town Hall conveys a range of mining figures donning traditional clothing and footwear.
In ‘Monarch’, the latest piece from master sculptor Steve Winterburn, the power and majesty of the stag is brought to life in a limited edition series. Steve is celebrated for his influence by the natural world, but with his new work, he brings an iconic animal from Great Britain into life. 'Monarch' is the first from the UK which he has created with Castle Fine Art, and also the first where the animal is interacting with the viewer - in this case, bellowing - and displaying its natural behaviour.
As ever, Steve has studied his subject in great detail before embarking on creating the sculpture. He researched the dominant stance of the Red Deer, and also its role in Celtic mythology. Sir Edwin Landseer's iconic 1851 painting of a stag, 'The Monarch of the Glen' can be seen in the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, and by calling his new piece 'Monarch', Steve is taking the role that the majestic deer holds in Scots culture into the 21st century.
Master sculptor Steve Winterburn’s newest limited edition sculpture is a moving portrait of an orangutan, ‘Wisdom of the Forest’, a creature he respects greatly, which is reflected in this incredible piece. Steve is well-renowned for capturing the power, beauty, strength and resilience of the animals he sculpts, and his latest bronze is no exception. In a first for his collections with Castle Fine Art the sculpture is finished with a beautiful new burnt-orange patina. This expertly-applied texture is synonymous with Steve’s wildlife sculptures, with the looseness of the style and finish allowing him to express the soul of the animal.
Celebrating animals and nature, wildlife art captures the intense beauty of the animal kingdom. We invite you to dive into a visual experience that celebrates the beauty, power, and mystique of the animals we share the planet with.
Steve Winterburn launches new public sculpture at Leicester Tigers ground
Discover Steve Winterburn's legendary sculptures that feature in public installations, galleries, and collectors' homes across the nation. From authentic memorials to sports legends in key stadiums, to ferocious animal sculptures inspired by his first-hand experiences with wildlife conservation around the world for over 10 years.
In 2024, we're all trying to do our bit for the environment and make greener choices. The perils of fast fashion are well-documented, and now collectors are turning their attention to the quality and longevity of art they're buying. To celebrate Earth Day 2024, we look at the connection between the art world and the environment.
Prowl our collection of animal art, featuring work by artists including Robert Oxley, Alfie Bowen and Steve Winterburn.
We're known for our limited edition and original artworks, but you may not have seen our stunning range of sculptures. From Steve Winterburn's stunning wildlife pieces to Nic Joly's minutely-detailed boxed works, there's a little something for everyone.
Our dedicated team of art consultants is on hand to offer you tailored advice.
Join our mailing list for exclusive discounts, the latest art news, artist updates and more.
Enter a location to find your closest Castle Fine Art gallery.
Our dedicated team of art consultants is on hand to offer you tailored advice.
Speak to a consultantEnter a location to find your closest Castle Fine Art gallery.
Essential cookies enable core functionality such as page navigation. The website cannot function properly without these cookies; they can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.
Performance cookies help us to improve our website by collecting and reporting information on its usage (for example, which of our pages are most frequently visited).
We use third party cookies on our site to serve you with advertisements that we believe are relevant to you and your interests. You may see these advertisements on our site and on other sites that you visit.