Eccleshill-based sculptor, Geoff Latz, uses reclaimed scrap materials to create artworks, often with historical associations. His ‘Anne Galleon’, (see below) made from scrap metal, for example, was inspired by the Spanish 16th century fleet.
Geoff’s work background is in engineering and he is largely self-taught as an artist. He has always enjoyed creative work with a wide range of materials and was nicknamed ‘The Professor’ as a child for his talent for invention. He has said:
I love to see people’s reaction when they see my work, whether they like it or not. I love it when they say ‘what the heck is that all about?’ or ‘is this guy nuts?’. I have to make things. Put me in a desert and I’d be creating things from the rocks.”
His work has been exhibited locally at Cartwright Hall, Bradford Industrial Museum, the Kala Sangram Centre, the Fabric Gallery, and at the South Square Gallery in Thornton. He also had a solo exhibition at the Leeds Industrial Museum in 2013 and in 2012 was a guest exhibitor at the Brick Lane Gallery, London.
Geoff has also worked with students and young people on projects encouraging their creativity, including degree students in the Graphics Art Department of Bradford College, the Student Union of Bradford University, and with the Young Masters Visual Art School helping the primary age pupils of the Art School design Yorkshire Rose sculptures for a Bloomin’ Yorkshire competition in 2016.
Video: Geoff Latz talks about his work at YouTube
Artist’s website at http://latzart.com/