Two major influences underpin Michael Shaw’s work, the first is Minimalist sculpture and the theories of Donald Judd; the second is Piero della Francesca and his: book on the Five Regular Solids (Libellus de Quinque Corporibus Regularibus) which describes innovative interpretations of solid geometry. The influence of minimalist sculpture focuses on Judd’s concept of ‘specific objects’ where, as Judd writes ‘the shape, image, colour and surface are single’. Through his practice as a sculptor Michael has subjected this concept of singularity of form to extensive examination and extension, so that perhaps his work is less ambiguous and therefore more faithful.
