A sculpture inspired by a soldier engulfed in flames has won a prestigious award.

Tim Shaw's Man on Fire was announced as the winner of the 2024 PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture on Thursday, October 17.

The award ceremony took place at the Art Workers’ Guild in London.

The sculpture, completed in 2023, is located outside the Imperial War Museum North in Greater Manchester.

Man on Fire was originally conceived in 2009 from foam and black polythene (Image: Jonty Wilde) It was recognised for its "compelling narrative and powerful form," standing out among a shortlist that included works by Yinka Shonibare, David Blandy and Larry Achiampong, Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva and Nick Hornby.

The PSSA Marsh Award, established in 2006, aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of public sculpture, connecting contemporary life with history.

It has previously been awarded to sculptors such as Antony Gormley, James Turrell, Veronica Ryan and last year's winner Kenny Hunter.

Shaw, who is based in his studio near Falmouth, said: "Man on Fire’s journey from proposal stage to installation has been a long one, especially with the challenges brought by the pandemic.

"It is therefore a great honour to win this award and to know that Man on Fire stands fully endorsed in the public domain."

The sculpture is located outside the Imperial War Museum North in Greater Manchester (Image: Tim Shaw) He expressed gratitude for the support received throughout the journey of Man on Fire, thanking the George Frampton Fund, Arts Council England, Imperial War Museums, Castle Fine Art Foundry, and everyone who contributed to the project.

He gave special thanks to The Marsh Charitable Trust and the team of judges, including Tabish Khan and Mark Richards.

Shaw has dedicated the award and the work itself "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".

Man on Fire was originally conceived in 2009 from foam and black polythene.

It was then reworked over a long period before finally being cast into bronze at Castle Fine Art Foundry between 2021 and 2023.

The sculpture is as much about the sacredness of life as it is about death, conveying ferocity of movement and lifeforce.

Shaw said: "Man on Fire represents not just soldiers fighting on the frontline, it is about all humanity—innocent civilians caught between warring factions who cannot escape the cruel, time-old curse of war."