British sculptor draws inspiration from Ningbo

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British sculptor Nick Hornby has unveiled seven new works inspired by Ningbo's history, architecture, and artistic traditions, following a month-long residency at the Ningbo Museum of Art.

The exhibition opened on Oct 20, showcasing sculptures, ink rubbings, and digital experiments that explore how images and objects can be transformed into new forms. One of the central works reimagines the architecture of Tianyi Pavilion, a historic library dating back more than 400 years, using 3D technology to translate its distinctive forms into sculptural compositions.

Hornby first visited Ningbo in June and returned in late September for the residency. At Tianyi Pavilion, he became interested in traditional ink rubbing, a technique used to reproduce inscriptions and surface details from carved stone. Another source of inspiration was a full-scale bronze replica of Michelangelo's David, presented to Ningbo by Florence in 2006.

"Curiosity is the driving force behind everything I do as an artist," Hornby said. "When I leave Ningbo, I'll have more curiosity than when I arrived."

Based in London, Hornby is vice-president of the Royal Society of Sculptors and is known for large-scale public artworks.

His time in Ningbo has also sparked ideas for future projects inspired by the city's historic sites and natural landscapes. He hopes the residency will lead to closer ties between Ningbo and artists and arts institutions in the UK.