From all the artists I’ve met since starting this project, I’ve learnt that it doesn’t matter how skilled and talented you are, being a professional artist is tough, and it has to be the passion that drives you. And it’s hard to find anyone more passionate and inspiring than metal sculpture artist Andrzej Szymczyk, who despite having built a successful business here in London is ready to give it all up to follow his dream to be the first metal bronze sculpture living in Madagascar.

Andre studied sculpture at The Academy of Fine Art in Krakow, and on graduating with an MA, he left Poland to pursue his are career as as artist in London. It wasn’t easy at the start, without a studio, and his first job in the arts was an unpaid role working in a prop shop( which he admits wasn’t great). But from there he went on w to work in one of London’s largest Bronze Foundries - ‘Bronze Age’ in Limehouse, at the same time as getting his first small studio sharing with a friend. Then two years later with his career starting to grow, he moved to his current studio where he has been for almost 10 years. An incredible studio with all the space needs for his work.

But despite the perfect studio and having everything here he needs for his successful bronze sculpture business, he’s ready to give that all up to pursue his dream in Madagascar.

“I’ve always appreciated marine wildlife, so I first went there to dive, and just discovered the whole beautiful island and it really charmed me, to the point my heart just fell in love with the place. I thought it was just a fleeting holiday charm, but it never left me, and it just grew stronger and I realised this is my destiny and I just need to find a way to move there.”

On paper Andre admits it sounds like a crazy idea. It’s a developing country with poor infrastructure, widespread problems of corruption and no formal processes for setting up a business. And then above all…….….

“……there are no Bronze Foundries at all!… It's going to be a challenge for sure……..…who knows, maybe I’ll open the first one on the island” he says with a little smile.

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Images Copyright of London Photographer Nathan Clarke | For any image use or enquiries contact me at nathan@nathanclarkephotography.co.uk

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