Student Work
Roy Noakes Student work
Photographs taken at City and Guilds Institute 1959-1962
1954/54 Apprenticed to Anselm Odling
1854/56 Apprenticed to Gerald Giudici
1956/1958 National Service in the Signals
1858/1961 full time student at City and Guilds Institute
Roy and James Butler
Roy Noakes and James Butler at work in Giudici’s yard in Sutton, London, carving the Queen’s Beasts in limestone from plaster models using a pointing machine. The original designs, by James Woodford RA, are now installed at Kew Gardens, London.
Roy and James Butler in the stone room
Roy Noakes and James Butler are seen in the background behind a half-finished reclining clay figure in the ‘Stone Room’ at the City and Guilds Institute. The figure was later completed, cast in plaster, and acquired by Alan and Isabel Rawsthorne in 1965. Its current location is unknown.
Roy casting the seated male figure
1958/9
These early student works were created using traditional methods, with clay built over a wooden and lead-wire armature, and initially cast in plaster from a plaster waste mould.
Seated male figure completed and coloured
150cm
There are no preliminary drawings for any of these early works, nor any indication of a title or direct reference to a life model. They are creations of pure imagination, designed to give the viewer a convincing sense of reality. Their statuesque presence evokes the grandeur and formality of Classical sculpture.
Reclining figure
100cm
1959/60
Coloured plaster
Reclining figure in a field
A reclining figure in a field in Essex was featured on the front cover of David Holbrook’s anthology of World War I poetry.
Reclining figure
125cm
The work may subtly echo images from National Geographic of the uncovered figures at Pompeii.
Reclining figure
100cm
The sculpture is deliberately limbless and intended to be viewed while lying down.
A collection of figures cast in plaster
A collection of figures cast in plaster, displayed for the Beckwith Scholarship competition. Roy Noakes was awarded the scholarship by the Fishmongers’ Livery Company.
Seated figure with arms stretched
150cm
On exhibition for the Beckwith Scholarship Competition
Reverse view of seated figure with outstretched arms
Reverse view of three female seated figures
60cm
Plaster
There is minimal armature which allowed for a more expressive movement throughout the clay.
Three female seated figures
60cm
Plaster
There is minimal armature which allowed for a more expressive movement throughout the clay.
Crouching figure
60cm
Cement Fondu
Executed in cement fondu, possibly as a subtle nod to Michelangelo.
Crouching figure
90cm
Limestone
Private Collection
Two figures
150cm
Plaster
Two figures exhibited for the Beckwith Scholarship competition, including a seated figure, 150 cm, in plaster. These imaginary figures were created without realistic features.
Seated figure mounted outside at night
Seated female figure
60cm
Plaster
Reclining figure
140cm
Plaster
Private collection
Collection of figures
Collection of figures on exhibition cast in plaster for the Beckwith Scholarship Competition.
Crucifixion Relief
45x30cm
Bronze
Roy Noakes Collection
Two figures
67x50cm
Relief
Roy Noakes Collection
Figure
70cm
Cement Fondu
Executed in cement fondu, this work demonstrates a shift in modelling style, with more accentuated internal shapes—a technique further developed in Roy Noakes’ later works.
Figure
70cm
Cement fondu