Tim Shaw's Man on Fire is a harrowing yet profoundly moving tribute to the devastation caused by war. Now permanently installed outside the Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) in Salford, Greater Manchester, the monumental bronze sculpture has become a focal point for reflection on the human cost of conflict.
Though raised amid the violence of 1970s Belfast, Tim Shaw RA initially avoided themes of conflict in his art, instead exploring ancient myths, rituals and belief systems to uncover deeper truths about human nature. That changed following the 2004 revelations of abuse at Abu Ghraib prison during the Iraq War, which provoked a deeply emotional response and marked a turning point in his practice.
Shaw channelled his outrage into Casting a Dark Democracy, a haunting figure shaped from black plastic, steel and barbed wire, referencing both contemporary and historical symbols of suffering and oppression. This work laid the foundation for Man on Fire, continuing his exploration of trauma, power and the darker forces that shape human history.
Casting a Dark Democracy
2022, sculpture by Tim Shaw (b.1964) at 'The Pain of Others' exhibition at DOX, Prague 
Shaw's journey with Man on Fire began in 2007, initially as a small-scale work titled What God of Love Inspires Such Hatred in the Hearts of Men. Deeply personal, this piece drew upon Shaw's memories of growing up during The Troubles in Belfast and his experiences witnessing unrest first-hand, including unwittingly driving into a Belfast riot. It also responded to haunting media imagery: soldiers scrambling from a burning armoured vehicle during riots in Basra, Iraq, in 2005, and the Glasgow Airport terrorist attack in 2007.
Infused by a trip to view the ancient, charred human remains in Pompeii, these visceral and tragic events coalesced into a singular vision of a figure engulfed in flames, symbolising both the agony of destruction and the fragile resilience of life.
What God of Love Inspires Such Hatred in the Hearts of Men
2007, sculpture by Tim Shaw (b.1964) 
The intensity and psychological resonance seen in Man on Fire echo across Shaw's wider body of work. In Mother the Air is Blue the Air is Dangerous, Shaw powerfully evokes a childhood memory of witnessing a firebomb explosion in a Belfast restaurant. The immersive installation – filled with scattered furniture, suspended trays, running shadows and sirens – captures the intensity of that moment, when time seemed to slow and the air turned petrol blue.
Rooted in the violence of 1970s Northern Ireland, particularly the chaos of Bloody Friday, the work transcends politics to focus on the psychological rupture and sensory overload of being caught in conflict. It speaks not just to Shaw's own experience but to the universal trauma endured by civilians in war zones worldwide.
Mother the Air is Blue the Air is Dangerous
2016, artwork by Tim Shaw (b.1964) 
During the coronavirus lockdown period of 2021 to 2022, Shaw revisited and reworked each element of Man on Fire with painstaking care. His methodology involved building and stripping back sections of the figure – feet, legs, groin, torso and head – to achieve a sense of dynamic motion and emotional intensity.
Shaw meticulously sculpted details such as the lips, teeth and tongue of a man screaming, ensuring the work's visceral impact could be fully appreciated when viewed from below, as intended for its installation at IWM North. Acknowledging that the sculpture would likely endure for at least 25 years, possibly outliving him, Shaw was determined to make Man on Fire the most extraordinary and exceptional work he could produce, striving to animate static form.
'Man on Fire' outside Imperial War Museum North
2023, sculpture by Tim Shaw (b.1964) 
The creation process was an epic undertaking. Shaw worked closely with Castle Fine Arts Foundry, visiting regularly over a year, where a team of 25 worked tirelessly to cast the sculpture in over 100 sections. Every part is welded together with precision to preserve the piece's dramatic motion and intensity. The original model, created from foam and black polythene, underwent a profound transformation into bronze, giving the work both a sense of permanence and a tactile weight.
'Man on Fire' at the finishing stages of the casting process at Castle Fine Arts Foundry
2023, sculpture by Tim Shaw (b.1964) 
For Shaw, Man on Fire embodies 'the sacredness of life as much as it does death'. This duality is central to the sculpture's impact. While it serves as a stark reminder of the destruction wrought by war, it also speaks to the resilience of the human spirit: a testament to survival against overwhelming odds.
The sculpture found its permanent home at the IWM North in July 2023. The Museum has become an iconic part of the Salford Quays skyline since it was built on an old bomb site in 2002. Man on Fire is now permanently sited outside the aluminium-clad building, with its jutting angular shards representing a globe fractured by war.
Positioned against the museum's striking façade, Man on Fire aligns with IWM North's mission to explore the causes, course and consequences of conflict. The setting amplifies the sculpture's themes, inviting visitors to confront the human cost of war and reflect on its enduring repercussions.
The project's realisation was made possible through the support of various institutions and individuals, including the George Frampton Fund, Arts Council England, Imperial War Museums, Castle Fine Arts Foundry and The Kenneth Armitage Foundation. Shaw expressed gratitude to these supporters, dedicating the work 'to all those who suffer as a result of the horror of war – particularly the young soldier, engulfed in flames, who dived to safety from his APC Warrior that day in Basra in September 2005.'
Recognition for Man on Fire came in October 2024, when it was awarded the prestigious PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture. This accolade honours works that significantly contribute to public art, engage deeply with contemporary issues and resonate with audiences across generations. Shaw joins an esteemed roster of previous winners, including Antony Gormley and Veronica Ryan, further cementing his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary sculpture.
The Mummers' Tongue Goes Whoring among the People
2021, artwork by Tim Shaw (b.1964) 
Man on Fire forms part of Shaw's broader artistic exploration of war and its human toll. He is currently developing a series of life-size Mummer figures for installation on the Irish border. The project seeks to address historical and contemporary tensions whilst celebrating the mumming traditions. These works aim to humanise the often-abstract narratives of conflict, focusing on the individuals – soldiers and civilians alike – who bear its brunt.
The Burning of Lifting the Curse
2022, artwork by Tim Shaw (b.1964). Cover image for 'The Court', a song from Peter Gabriel's album 'i/o' 
Shaw's engagement with humanitarian issues extends beyond his art. In 2024, he participated in the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Artist Fundraiser Auction, which raised over £340,000 to provide medical aid in Gaza and the West Bank. Two of his works, The Space Between and The Burning of Lifting the Curse, were sold as part of this initiative. This activism underscores Shaw's belief in the power of art to drive social change, using his platform to raise awareness and funds for those affected by conflict.
For those who wish to experience Man on Fire in person, a visit to IWM North offers an unparalleled opportunity. Standing before the sculpture, visitors are confronted with its raw power and evocative presence – a stark reminder of the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Tim Shaw's Man on Fire challenges us to witness the devastating realities of conflict while celebrating humanity's enduring strength. As Shaw continues to create works that grapple with the complexities of human suffering and survival, Man on Fire stands as a powerful testament to the role of art in shaping how we remember, reflect and strive for a better future.
Claire English, Curator, Producer and Arts Consultant
