Moira Purver
Profile
Moira is a figurative sculptor working largely from life to capture the essential vitality and warmth of the figure whether the pose is restful or dynamic. Her focus is studying the surfaces and movement in the human form but whether sculpting animals or humans her aim is sculpture that radiates a feeling of living energy. A large part of her work portrays the softness of the female form, but also includes male sculptures with stronger muscle tone and textures.
Moira models her original sculptures in either wax, clay or plasteline, though her favourite medium will always be clay. The resulting sculptures are then cast in foundry bronze and bronze resin (cold cast bronze) and include sculptures for both indoors and outdoors.
Moira has exhibited annually since 2009 as part of the Society of Women Artists annual exhibition in the Mall Galleries in London. Moira was thrilled in May 2011 to be elected as an Associate Member of The Society of Women Artists ( ASWA) and in 2014 she was elected to full membership ( SWA). She also received an award for her sculpture "Male Torso" which was presented by Princess Michael of Kent at the Private View of the 2010 exhibition. www.society-women-artists.org.uk
Moira also exhibited in the Mall Galleries as part of the Art Liberating Lives exhibition in 2009 and the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) in 2014 and 2015. "Self-Contained Man" was included in the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) open exhibition in 2014. Moira's sculpture Roe Fawn was shortlisted and accepted for the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year Exhibition in 2015.
Moira has exhibited in galleries in London, Dorset, Hampshire, Berkshire and Devon and has taken part in many outdoor exhibitions including Hidcote Gardens, Savill Gardens, RHS Wisley, Beaulieu, Red Orb, Wydncliffe Court Sculpture Gardens and Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.
Each year since 2012 Moira has felt privileged to be able to donate a sculpture to the main auction at the Marie Curie Cancer Care Private View of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. In 2017 she was thrilled to be invited to be one of the 6 Patrons of this event, alongside Dame Elizabeth Blackadder, Professor Ken Howard, Terry New, Professor Chris Orr and Barbara Rae.
Moira is a member, and exhibits with Surrey Sculpture Society www.surreysculpture.org.uk and the Oxford Sculptors Group www.oxfordsculptors.org