Mark is a 'jobbing sculptor' working and teaching in the West Country. He began his illustrious, creative life in a props apprenticeship at the Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, with subsequent work not only in 3 D, but also acting in Theatre, T.V. and Film. Besides this he has had published and performed, poetry, stories and plays e.g. Shenanigans, The Wreckage. Mark is an Equity member.
The latest play is called 'Stigglebone' and is in the process of rehearsal as a theatre production for 2009. It is in conjunction with his associates Olga Rodrigues and John Chapman.
Also in pre-production is his film 'The Hand Job' in conjunction with John Chapman Managing Director of 'Ghost Pictures Ltd', Berkshire.
In fine Art he has an exbhibition booked for Bath Library off Walcot Street , October 25th. - November 1st. 2009 with fellow Artists: Olga Rodrigues and Terry Brooks.
Mark has recently been successful, passing a B.A.Hons. Degree in Creative Studies in English at Bath Spa University and has now passed his M.A. in Fine Art at The Arts Institute at Bournemouth. As well as the Art play, he has created concious conceptual works in wire called WIRE WORKS and 'SKIN CAGES' these will be installed in his local landscape which can in turn be taken out of this site and into gallery and exhibition space! There are ephemeral sculptures also, which will bio-degrade, recorded on film and in photography for posterity, they are a purposeful attempt not to monopolise or alter the lanscape irreparably.
He has already embarked on his 'Sculpture walks' where he either accompanies customers or sends them equiped for tours of the lanscape, where he has a conceptual installment. Interested parties can contact him by mailing him via this site or by telephoning 01380 721097. This is a new type of experience in art, still in its embyonic form : fresh, informative, thought provoking and exciting.
Influencd by the organic world around us and the natural materials it produces.....he has already created and sold work in stone and wood as well as metal, plaster and clay. He has worked abstract forms, large and small scale, in oak and pine wood. Some of his work, inspired by the stone circles of these isles e.g. at Avebury , Stonehenge and the Cathedrals of Great Britain and France, has sold all round the world. He has travelled extensively and built a collectiion of animals, abstract and human figures.
You can find these and many of the other pieces on www.markwhelehan.com his other website-but please contact him through this site www.markwhelehan.moonfruit.com as the other site is purely a gallery at present and the further info contact e-mail is defunct.
His latest 'Wire Works' are for sale at Handel House Gallery { Above Handel Book Shop] Devizes, Wilts. His Pilgrims or Hengemen also. Exhibitions of his work have been held at Longleat House, Malmesbury, Salisbury, Avebury, Devizes and Islington, London. As well as this, he will be teaching Creative Clay and Plaster Sculpture at Bath University's I.C.I.A {Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Art},in October, the prospectus can be sent to you from them. Mark has held Creative Arts workshops at many schools and civic centres [Swindon, Newbury] throughout the area, they have all been a great success and are testament to his ability to communicate with people and get his message through to all ages.
An exhibition at Marlborough Town Hall, Wilts. Easter 2008 went according to plan, he was joined by fellow students from the MA course at Bournemouth and a few friends, his piece called Angel Foot, a 30ft Angel, comprising of work in weatherd oak, was sold but on agreement that he is able to exhibit it again elsewhere, along with his Stigglebone Pilgrimage of wood creatures at POTTERNE ART FESTIVAL .
Exhibitions include Bath Podium City Library in 2009 -two have already been a great succes in conjunction with his new business venture running ART WORKSHOPS wth Brian Joakim and painter Terry Brooks called ' ART in BATH ' for info e-mail artinbath@googlemail.com.
His latest sculpture WONDER WOOD along with girlfriend and fellow sculptor Olga Rodrigues is English Oak from the countryside worked on to produce Supernova Starbursts, animal and other features -accentuated accentual[rythmical lines and tones] revealed by his work which are already naturally occuring, uncovered features within the wood.
