Photography

This is a reminder that all photography relating to this blog can be viewed by clicking on the slideshow in the upper-right hand corner of the blog. This will take you to a Google Picasa web album with all the relevant photos.

Final Outcome

Pictured above is my final outcome for this unit of work, a large plaster sculpture from a ring shaped mould. I have incorporated elements derived from various stages of my studies so far. I have tried to create a sculpture that satisfies a completeness of form, this idea came from looking at the sructures of Richard Deacon. I have created balance by placing the central hole slightly off centre. I have paid careful attention to the edges and curves of the sculptue, which were inpired primarily from my studies of a banana. The piece is also heavily influenced by the work of Gaudi and his chimnies. Overall I think this has been a successful outcome. would have liked to have achieved a slightly smoother surface on the sculpture but the plaster I used is currently too wet for me to do so. For presentation purposes the sculpture will be placed on-end on plaster plinth.

Experimental Sculpture

In preparation for my final piece I experimented with clay and plaster to get used to the materials and the forms that would be possible. Pictured above is an example of what I came up with; a small sculpture inspired by my Gorillapod.
I have also included my first attempt at plaster sculpting; a simple form with smoothed surfaces and a crease. Also pictured is an idea for a sculptural piece (the end of a banana) inspired by my earlier observations of cocoa beans.
I discovered that using this 'hands on' approach gave me a good feel for the materials and helped to create organic forms.

Antoni Gaudi

The architect Gaudi, often designed with natural forms in mind. He was particularly interested in curves found in nature and sought to express them in his work. I have pictured some of his chimneys because of the surface quality, It is reminiscent of water or a bone structure beneath a skin. I have also pictured the curves of the 'Casa Mila' to show that Gaudi was prepared to use his natural forms on a large scale. I have also included an interior heavily inspired by parabolae; undoubtedly observed in nature.

Barbara Hepworth

Barbara Hepworth is a British sculptor who works with bronze and plaster. She often creates spherical forms with complex sculpted interiors, sometimes using wire strands to connect elements in the sculpture. Like Deacon; line and surface seem to be very important factors in her work. I enjoy he pictured oval sculpture because it satisfies a curiosity to look within a solid object (the boundary of which is indicated by the dark shell), and imagine what might exist therein. I like the edge quality she has achieved and the seamless transition of curves.

Richard Deacon

Richard Deacon is a British sculptor who has created a variety of works that appeal to me and link to my topic, pictured are; "Blind, Deaf and Dumb A", "Under My Skin" and "Keeping the Faith".
Deacon often creates very fluid, well balanced forms. He uses curved surfaces in almost all of his sculptures and carefully expresses linear qualities. When I look at his sculptures I feel that he is trying to satisfy a craving for completeness of form. His sculptures contain surfaces and lines that have no end point. All elements of the sculpture tend to loop round seamlessly back onto themselves. To me, this completeness of form makes the work seem very separate from its surroundings, helping it to really stand out.
Some of his other work seems to imply large, hidden forms. It is as if he has just chosen to show part of what is there. He will not, however, just highlight an arbitrary intersection or cross-section, instead he will take a continuous loop or polar-segment, to convey completeness.
Whilst his work is often very organic, it is sometimes hard to deduce, from what has Deacon taken his inspiration. Some of his sculptures look like transluscent cellular organisms, others remid me of paths of objects through space. I think his bent, wooden sculptures are heavily inspired by natural form, evoking fruit, plants and body parts.

Peter Randall-Page

Peter Randell-Page is a sculptor who creates forms influenced by, and based on nature. I like his observations of patterns in nature and admire his ruthlessness and fidelity to form. I have included a copy of one of his untitled drawings. The example shown is a very indulgent drawing. The form is tightly coiled, closely framed and is satisfying to look at. There is also an element of mystery as the form appears to be emerging from a dark abyss.