William Burns Pye (born 1938) is a British sculptor known particularly for hiswater sculptures.
Pye is the son of SirDavid Randall Pye FRS, a mechanical engineer and academic administrator. He attended theDragon School inOxford.[1] He cites his aunt, sculptorEthel Pye, as an early inspiration.[2]
He undertook National Service between 1956 and 1958 then subsequently studied atWimbledon School of Art (1958–61) and theRoyal College of Art (1961–65).[3] From 1965 to 1970 Pye taught at the Central School of Art before teaching atGoldsmiths, University of London for five years.[4] In 1972 he was a visiting professor at California State University.[3] He became known for his sculptures in metal, stone and especially water. In the 1960s, Pye's sculptures were abstract using metal and stone. In 1966 he had his first solo exhibition at theRedfern Gallery in London.[3] Subsequent notable shows were held atWinchester in 1979 andAberystwyth in 1980.[4] In the 1970s, he produced abstract geometrical works usingstainless steel, sometimes includingkinetic aspects.[5]
Pye has undertaken major commissions including:
Pye's sculptures are also to be found atAntony House andThe Vineyard Hotel. He has had many exhibitions of his sculptures in the UK and elsewhere since his first solo exhibition in 1966. He has received many awards, including being elected Honorary Fellow of theRoyal Institute of British Architects in 1993.
In 2016 Pye's water sculptureAlchemilla was unveiled at theAll England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon on the first day of the2016 Wimbledon Championships.[8]
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