Hubert G. Phipps (November 1, 1957 – June 18, 2023) was an American sculptor and painter who divided his time between Middleburg, Virginia and New York City. Known for his paint pigment drawings and abstract sculptures, Phipps experimented with various forms and materials, including steel, bronze, wood, composites, plaster, glass, and marble. He was also a race car driver and a member of the Phipps family.
Born in Virginia to Lady Phoebe Pleydell-Bouverie and Hubert Beaumont Phipps, Phipps started drawing at an early age. He developed skills as an illustrator, initially transcribing political cartoons. His father owned and operated local newspaper publications and was well-known in the cattle-breeding and horse racing circles. After his father died, Phipps then went to live with guardians in Palm Beach, Florida.[6] He attended Deerfield Academy.[7] At Deerfield, Phipps discovered a passion for flying, something that he would continue throughout life. Since then, he has logged more than 3,500 hours as a pilot-in-command in both rotorcraft and fixed wing.[6] He is the cousin of sculptor Susan Phipps Cochran.[8]
After retiring as a professional driver, Phipps turned his focus to art again. In 2001, he enrolled in IFAC in Miami to study computer animation, with additional training at Escape Studios in London. Phipps’ interest in animation was specifically to learn how to model forms in the computer as reference for sculpting objects, using traditional media.
In 2002, Phipps participated in Graham Nickson's drawing marathon at the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture.[14] It opened his ability to work in large-scale. Phipps was able to draw on his racing and aviation experiences, to develop a distinctive style.
Phipps has studios in Virginia and New York City.
Work
Quantum Universe 46" x 61" Charcoal on paper
Drawings and paintings
Phipps has many approaches to drawing, including reference photos that he makes on long, cross-country flights and automatic drawing. He lets his subconscious guide the pen or brush until the work takes on a life of its own.[15]
Voyager (2015), Stainless steel, 25" x 8.5" x 7.5"
Sculptures
Phipps follows many of the traditional approaches of making sculpture, but also uses modern technologies, including 3D computer modeling, 3D scanning, 3D printing, and virtual reality. The sculpture continually changes until the final product reaches the foundry, the fabrication shop, or the CNC milling shop.[16]
A significant influence on Phipps’ work comes from the view he gets while flying. It is not unusual for him to fly cross-country trips, including coast to coast. He amasses photographic images on these trips that are used as reference for sculpture, paintings, and drawings.[17]
