ARTWORK
These projects were undertaken for fun - and for creative therapy. It is always great to find some 'odds and ends' and to be inspired to create something new. Curiously, much of my output seems to have a 'biological' influence... nature, plants, animals.
Sand Sculptures
I often find it relaxing to stroll along the seashore and collect odd stones, seaweed, sea-plants, sticks. During this collection process, the shape of a stone, or some plant material may ignite a spark of an idea. Of course, restricting the physical area of collection, also restricts the types of material which can be gathered. But, this restriction often leads to the imagination being stretched a little further.
Once I have enough to work with, I find a clear area and begin to construct the picture in my mind. Sometimes, something altogether different develops. The final result can be surprising, and, curiously, often tends to reflect the natural world. This 'sand sculpture' then remains intact for viewers, passers-by until the tide returns the same day and washes the materials out to sea.
Once I have enough to work with, I find a clear area and begin to construct the picture in my mind. Sometimes, something altogether different develops. The final result can be surprising, and, curiously, often tends to reflect the natural world. This 'sand sculpture' then remains intact for viewers, passers-by until the tide returns the same day and washes the materials out to sea.
The sculptures presented here were created from natural materials found at Aguamarina, La Zenia, Caba Roig beaches at Oriheula de Costa (Spain), and Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré beach, L'Île de Ré (France). What is interesting is that these creatures appear to have something 'prehistoric' to their design. Furthermore, one can imagine these animals inhabiting this sandy environment; feeding on the vegetation; and existing within their own domain, prior to the arrival of any human predators.
The captured images of the sculptures have been displayed as part of the 'Birds, Bees and Butterflies' exhibition hosted by the Art With A Heart gallery, Altrincham, Cheshire. (To view a video showcase of this work (and photography by the artist Adam Bruderer) click on this link). The images have also previously been sold as postcards at HOME Manchester, and at Open Studios, Altrincham.
Nature - Nurture
Imagine yourself in the distant future – you are walking in a bounteous garden – the trees and bushes enclose you in a warm green cocoon. And then you see it – an abandoned computer, from a bygone age – its remaining wires finding root in the grass. This moss-covered metal box now provides a home for host of insects, arachnids. But then you look more closely and observe that each of these creatures is both biologic and electronic.... the offspring of both ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’.
The belief is that – for survival – these two functions must operate hand-in-hand. And so, here – in this piece, there is a symbolic representation of the result of technology impacting upon the natural world – and vice-versa.
The concept of this piece grew from considering our modern ‘technological’ world – the ease of access to electronic devices, and the ease of their use which comes so readily to the modern generation. This posed the question ‘To what extent can the understanding of our world be attributed to ‘nature’ and to ‘nurture’ (?) - e.g., what is inherent – and what must be learned?
For this composition, the flowers and long grasses are made out of electric wire sheath and computer fuses. The lawn, from wire scouring pads. The insects and arachnids are all created from electronic components (diodes, LEDs, capacitors, resistors, switches and micro-chips). An accompanying ‘soundscape’ was constructed from the digital recordings of everyday noises. These sounds were subsequently filtered and manipulated to reflect the busy buzzing futuristic world of the electronic mini-beasts.
'Nature - Nurture' was displayed as part of the 'Transformation' exhibition hosted by the Art With A Heart gallery, Altrincham, Cheshire. To view a video showcase of the range of exhibits, click on this link.
Call Of The Wild
This composition was inspired by a vision of our world (the seas, the rivers, the woodlands, the fields) being continually polluted in many different ways: toxic gasses; noise; plastic waste, harmful substances...
...and yet, during 'lockdown' - during the time when people are required to stay home - where cars, buses, trains, and trams are not running - where the skies are clear, then, the face of nature is again visible.
The birds and the insects can be heard once more, the flowers are growing once again. The face calls to humanity, and humanity sees at last that the face is its own face, and that it needs to care for itself - for our precious world.
Potato People
Let me introduce Kevin Kikko, Greg Gemson, Lady Valora, Sprouty Elland, Fi Fandango, and Ranger Russet...
These guys escaped from a kitchen vegetable rack in a busy fish restaurant in Cornwall. They scampered down the cobbled streets until they reached the port. Hiding out until night-time, they stole aboard a Plastiware box and sailed along the coast. Soon they established a hideout in an abandoned smuggler’s cave. Now they survive as mercenaries, helping any vegetable who needs them. They are The Potato People.
