Monchelsea Place - History of a Sculpture

The History Jars   Trying to come up with titles for the sculptures is an ongoing process. As the forms are quite abstract you are always thinking about giving the viewer a way into understanding what the artwork might be about and why its located where it is.     

The largest of the three stones will stand at 2.1m high and has a beautiful blue band that runs through the middle of the stone. As I've decided to work with the original dimensions of the block, the stone will be around 40cm in places instead of the original 25cm. This will lend to the sculpture having a greater presence in the landscape. Again another very tactile and curved form which will have both polished and textured surfaces when complete. The cut out slot / window which will be cut out of the neck of the vessel will run central measuring 115cm.   

Carving away the rough exterior to revel the sculpture inside. Suddenly amidst all the dust and fog, the form starts to appear. The bellied pot form and handles take on a very interesting and satisfying shape.This particular block is predominately blue one side and creamy brown the other.    

Working on Sculpture B! Once the form is rounded I plan to cut out the two oval windows in the stone. The overall abstracted form is starting to suggest an ancient oil lamp or fragmented vessel with both its jug handles fused together. The stone is very tactile with some interesting surface qualities. You really want to touch the stone when it has so many curves and I envisage this being its appeal once polished.   

Really good to get on site and discuss the location and positioning of the three sculptures for Monchelsea Place last Wednesday (22nd February) The area selected is close to a formal seated area with the work at a slight angel which will give views through the stone towards the distant woodland. As the trees mature they will also enclose the sculpture making it a private space with easy access from the circling paths. Discussion around lighting is also now a possibility which will increase the drama of the artwork.     

 

 The snow has gone and all three stones have now been lifted upright!  There is still a lot of material to be removed but I can already start to see how the sculptures will relate to each other and how the colours in the stone will complement the forms.