Wishful Thinking 1999 by Douglas Burton, Steel and Wood, Unique, 202cm high, 320cm wide, 274cm deep, Architecture Sculpture
This large-scale sculpture shows half of an ornate Brighton roof, reimagined and repositioned. Made from steel and wood, the structure lies on its side. It no longer functions as shelter. Instead, it becomes bold, strange, and architectural.
The work plays with scale and memory. Burton takes something familiar and flips it, literally and conceptually. The roof becomes a relic, a fragment of domestic life turned monument. Its ornate details clash with its fallen position. The result is both humorous and melancholic.
The materials speak of weight and time. Steel provides structure and sharpness. Wood softens the piece but shows age. Together, they ground the sculpture in the real world, while pushing it into abstraction.
Burton often works with found forms and architectural elements. Here, he blurs the line between object and idea. Wishful Thinking suggests a dream or a failure, something once planned or hoped for, now repurposed.
This is a unique piece. It stands alone in scale and concept. Both sculpture and fragment, it invites viewers to move around it, to imagine what it was, and what it could still become.
Delivery & Installation
The Sculpture Park will be in contact after purchase to arrange a delivery date. Delivery will require specialised equipment, which will be provided by The Sculpture Park and outside sources. We can provide an installation service upon request, please email Sian at sian@thesculpturepark.com to discuss details. Delivery and installation will be provided by The Sculpture Park for mainland Great Britain, excluding the Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands and Republic of Ireland. A mainland courier company will handle any onward shipping.
Experienced professionals handle all our sculptures, ensuring safe delivery and proper installation.
This piece is currently available for viewing at the park. Additional images, videos, measurements, and details can be provided upon request.
