James Corbett Club Night

James Corbett October Club Night

Natalie Dugdale

On Tuesday 11 October we arrived to see the amazing sculptures of James Corbett filtered around the Porsche Centre Brisbane showroom. Soon after the usual fanfare of pizza and a chat, we settled as Bill Black introduced James and his wife Jodie. James is a world-renowned sculptor, car enthusiast and multiple Porsche owner based in Brisbane.

Bill Black (BB): Tell us how you went from being the proprietor of a specialist motor wrecking business to world renowned sculptor.

James Corbett (JC): It started as a release from work at the wrecking yard I owned. I used to find interesting parts and imagine what I could make with them and on rainy day in late 1998, it came to fruition. I began welding some parts and my first sculptor was created.

BB: At what stage did you start to make an income from your work

JC: I placed my first sculpture on the counter of the shop and I was surprised at the positive response from my customers. This encouraged me to keep creating and when I felt my work was good enough, I approached Dutton’s. They agreed to display my sculptures at the Melbourne Motor Show and Formula 1 GP, which all sold.

BB: What comes first, do you think I going to create a Morgan three-wheeler or is it the pile of junk that inspires you.

JC: It can go either way, sometimes I find a piece and it’s the shape, colour or texture that captures my interest and I think, what can I create with it. Or it’s as simple as seeing a dog that I like and I start sourcing materials to create the dog, sheep or whatever it might be. Another large component now is undertaking commission works, it can be harder as I must create someone else’s vision.

BB: How do you source tens of thousands of bits and pieces

JC: It is getting harder as I like interesting parts, at first I had my own wrecking yard, so I built my own Aladdin’s Cave of car junk. I attend swap meets, visit workshops and people give me pieces. A good friend owned a wrecking yard, but unfortunately it closed down during covid, so it is harder, especially as I like pieces with a story.

BB: How does a sculpture start, do you draft some ideas or just jump in and start welding JC: With automotive I never do a drawing it just happens, if I am doing an animal or person, I like do thumb nail drawings to get dimensions and the picture in mind.

BB: Welding is your main tool, but what types of metals and material are used. JC: Anything I can weld to or put a bolt through if it’s the right shape I use it. With the sheep I welded over 2,000 sparkplugs, unfortunately a sheep’s skull doesn’t weld very well so I riveted some metal to the skull and then welded to the plate. I do that a lot if I are trying to use an aluminium part, I use a mig to weld brass to steel, it’s not structural so it can be done. I just can’t use plastic.

BB: Your car and motorbike sculptures look like they are doing 100mph when standing still, how do you achieve that perception of speed.

JC: When designing I imagine I am driving the car or riding the bike, with the life size sculptures it is easier. With the Morgan three-wheeler, I made a driver for the sculpture and had my wife sit in the passenger seat. The sculpture of the Morgan three-wheeler now sits on display at BB: Your biggest exhibition and the one you are most proud of.

JC: In 1999 I held my first exhibition at a motoring themed café in Brisbane called Vroom and then I was asked to be guest artist at the Brisbane International Motor Show, which I exhibited at for three years. In 2002 I was invited to exhibit at the Essen Motor Show, Germany and I’ve held several solo exhibitions in England and America. Most proud of… I was really chuffed to learn that the art students at the University of Miami, Florida were critiquing my works in lectures.

BB: Famous clients?

JC: Most of the sculptures that are owned by famous people are sold by galleries or agents, so I don’t always know but I believe Nick Mason from Pink Floyd owns a sculpture. Some works are commission for very famous people, but I am not always privy to. It’s a case of their people talk to my people (me), but I have a suspicion that I have done a commission for Vladimir Putin. The agent told me it was someone very important from Russia that loves dogs, along with other information.

After 45 minutes of chatting with James Corbett the talk came to an end. I could have listened to Bill and James chat on for hours. James was very engaging and humble, his sculptures are awesome. I encourage everyone to check out James Corbett’s website and if you are looking for a unique piece of art, look no further.

The Porsche Club Queensland thank Bill Black, James Corbett for their time and wish James and Jodie all the very best for the future.

Parting words from James Corbett:

“I’d like to think that well into the future my work will be regarded as both a pleasing sculpture, and as an intriguing time capsule from the era of the motor vehicle”.