Complete V8 Exhaust Sculpture from Juan Pablo Montoya's Williams Fw23 used in the 2003 Formula One F1 World Championship. Hand polished to a mirror finish and mounted on titanium rods to replicate the exact positioning of the system. In Stock £12,000
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Mike O'Connor's inaugural exhibition at Dadiani Fine Art of Cork Street, Mayfair, was extended for an unprecedented seven weeks and sold out in the summer of 2017 bringing his engineering inspired sculptures to the world stage.
Drawing upon a Degree in Fine art from Southampton University, and almost twenty years experience within Formula One.
He is passionate about the naturally aspirated V10 and V8 era of Formula One, which is celebrated in his 2024 collection entitled "The Golden Era" using 24krt Gold.
As an Ex- F1 Demonstration Driver in his Arrows FA15, Mike also holds the F1 and Motorcycle Hill Climb records at The Heveningham Concours.
The Sculptures and Jewellery are created at his cottage workshop in Suffolk, each using solely the parts of a race used F1 car, often starting with the the complete exhaust systems.
Deliberately reflecting the shape of a musical instrument, the finished works are a homage to the beautiful noise the highly polished inconel pipework originally created.
The work has been featured in The Sunday Times "How to Spend it" supplement, The Week, Formula Life Magazine, Private Motor Club, Classic Driver, GQ, Octane, and Boat International.
Described by Jonathan Schultz of "The Drive":
"It can be seen as Protest Art, against the disappearance of the noise which made Formula One what it once was. I believe craftsmanship must be at the heart of all great art and these pieces are examples of the finest craftsmanship"
The Week:
"Art Lovers will appreciate the tactic nod to the automotive obsessions of the early 20th century Italian Futurists, to whose sculptures these [pieces] bear an uncanny resemblance"