Thanks to Tim Bailey for being able to do this excellent 3D scan of another of my stone heads.
This looks like an excellent scan full of exciting possibilities.

.
.
.

art #artistsoninstagram #artist #sculpture #sculptureart #sculptor #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #contemporaysculture #contemporarysculptor #modernist #brutalist #wip #cottononmcr #3dprinting

Thanks to Tim Bailey for the photo of my latest 3D printed head. I’m actually looking forward to seeing this tomorrow when I’m at University, so that I can evaluate it and get a better idea of how it looks .

I find it interesting how the digital world translate’s what it see’s, the brutality of the original carving has melted away to a reveal a gentle rounded finish as if the head has been placed in a sand blaster and only the vaguest memories remain of what came before.
.
.
.

art #artistsoninstagram #artist #sculpture #sculptureart #sculptor #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #contemporaysculture #contemporarysculptor #modernist #brutalist #wip #cottononmcr #3dprinting

This figure is slowly taking shape. It’s interesting how I find myself slowing down and looking at bits of rubble, and then all of a sudden something clicks and it gradually comes together and takes shape.
A bit more needs to be done to the head and I also want to add a bit more hight to this.
What is also now intriguing me is the idea of 3D scanning the individual elements and then printing them a lot bigger.
Yes the natural textures will disappear but the overall shape will be there.
.
.
.

art #artistsoninstagram #artist #sculpture #sculptureart #sculptor #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #contemporaysculture #contemporarysculptor #modernist #brutalist #wip #cottononmcr

To say I’m rather happy with this repair is an understatement. Yesterday I hacked a big area of stone away that meant this head could not stand ( however much I tried to alter its balance). So I found a chip of limestone that kind of worked and glued it in place with clear gorilla glue, I’ve now smartened it up a bit the crudeness of this repair adds to piece.
.
.
.

art #artistsoninstagram #stonesculpture #contemporaryart #contemporarysculpture #contemporaryartist #brutalism #brutalist @southernstone11 @cottononmcr #wip @fineartsalford

Gradually this new Maltese stone head is starting to take shape. A lot of it comes by chance and is dictated by the attack of the point and pitcher. There is no finesse when using the Pitcher but it gives that brutalist edge to what I’m doing.
At some point I’m going to have to think about getting a big lump of stone and going bigger.
.
.
.
.

art #artistsoninstagram #stonesculpture #contemporaryart #contemporarysculpture #contemporaryartist #brutalism #brutalist @southernstone11 @cottononmcr #wip @fineartsalford

As part of my current MA Module I have to become part of a group and deliver a Symposium, it is a chance to share theories, ideas and research on your topic. I originally started thinking about this early with many ideas on what I might do. Originally we had to find a venue to host the symposium, fortunately there is the Air gallery (which is a contemporary art gallery in Altrincham) which is pretty much on my doorstep.

Bellow is an account of my initial conversations with Rebecca Wild the founder and curator of Air gallery towards securing the venue for the symposium. Unfortunately due to the Covid 19 situation and the now enforced second lockdown, this option has now been shelved and our group Dis/connect will be doing our symposium on the university premises on December the 8th.

Friday 16.10.20

As I live within walking distance of Air Gallery I paid them visit to ask about the logistics of being able to use the gallery space for the upcoming group symposium. I spoke to Rebecca Wild the galleries founder and curator about this proposal .

The upshot of this enquiry was that in theory Rebekah would not be against us using the gallery space as December is a quiet month for them, unfortunately this is dictated by the  constantly changeable Covid 19 situation  and weather Manchester will go back into some form of lockdown.

So far we have agreed to keep in touch and review the situation.

Logistically as a space it could work as it is easily connected to the tram system

The space is big enough for at the most four people to present safely, again this would have to be assessed as only six people can be in a section at a time so would they have to go on a journey? It could also mean that presenters may have to present up to three times.

On a plus point they have equipment to present video pieces.

So what do I want to do for my presentation?

A video presentation?

A presentation filmed in my studio with a dig at the myth of the artist

Or an exhibition presentation?

Tuesday 20.10.20

Afternoon at University, the latter part of the lecture delivered today focused on the idea of the symposiums which are set for week 11 and 12 of this term. In some ways I’m one step ahead having proposed the idea of hosting an event at Air gallery.

Today we also found out about our fellow members on the course and what they are specialising in, this helps for creating a symposium group of likeminded thinkers to be able to present something that is cohesive and has a synergy to it.

So far our group consists of

•      Jeffrey Knopf – Balance: life & death – Contemporary Fine Art

•      Joseph Lee – Connection/Mental Health – Socially Engaged Photography

•      Josephine Thomasen – LGBT+ – Creative Technology

•      Elizabeth Thompson – Mental Health/Self-expression – Contemporary Fine Art

•      David Warrington – Faith/Iconography – Contemporary Fine Art

•      Samuel Howle – Migration/Protest Aesthetics – Graphic Design

This could change depending on the venue and how many people they feel is safe to show/ exhibit

What did come out of our discussion after the lecture was the tentative idea of taking the Audience on a journey around the premise of life under Covid restrictions.

 Idea will there be a tourist guide ushering the audience around and presenting an introduction to each area?

Would my presentation be a balance sculpture that falls down and constantly collapses due to movement? a frustrating event that includes the strains on ones mental state.

Things to action discuss with the gallery more about what is roughly being proposed and whether this is viable?

Also if the venue is a no go a backup plan needs to be put in place .

A website or a collaborative zine ?

Saturday 24.10.2020

This morning I was able to have a catch up discussion with Rebecca from Air gallery, as regards holding the symposium on their premises. Under the current tier 3 ruling it should be able to go ahead as galleries, community spaces are exempt from closing.

Rebecca liked the idea of the symposium being a journey through the building, thus utilizing the front door entrance and the side door exit, this would hopefully ensure a steady stream of viewers throughout the building.

As for participants 8 people can show/exhibit comfortably maybe 9 at a push. It really all depends on how many will turn up on the day.

The gallery can also supply seating as well as hot drinks (we will have to provide milk, coffee and tea)

Next action points find out the actual date of when this will happen

Also arrange a site visit.

Finally Rebecca is wanting to  work with us on this as it will hopefully be the first of many collaborations between the university and the gallery.

As I said above unfortunately this proposal has been unable to go any further.

So far the Dis/connect have had two group meetings, which I have attended the first was on the 3rd November and the second was on the 10th November

Here are the notes typed out by Sarah Hartley from the 10th November

Discussed 10^th November  

• Opening and Closing event to frame the proceedings. 

Jo suggested a mindfulness exercise to commence – we agree this would be a quirky and fitting addition. 

Action: Jo to work devise the video to be used at the start or end. 

• Platform for our communications 

We agreed Teams. 

Action: Sam is going to help David with his technical issue with this platform. 

• Q&A 

David (tutor) confirmed that the allocated 15minutes each doesn’t included Q&A – so we need to factor time for this, so we are looking at 20min each 

• Refreshments 

Given the COVID pandemic, we are reluctant to provide these, but a suggestion of ‘grab bags’ maybe doable. 

• Technical support 

Jo & Sam, will support the group with technical kits.  

Actions: 

Sam will source the kit needed for in person symposiums and make a booking for items needed. 

Jo will compile all of our finished presentations for us into a package so we have one master presentation on the day. (Wc30th Nov. to have items with him) 

• Location 

Adelphi building – a few suggested the performance spaces on the ground floor. 

We need to make a booking? 

Sarah has also typed up a timeline for what is needed

Date	Activity
10th Nov	Group conversation to get a sense of what each individual thinking is for the symposium to help with planning Consideration  Tech needed Support and organisation of the components
16th Nov	All descriptions (sentence) and picture  To be shared with Sarah
17th Nov	Sarah to share invite proof and group to sign off  Run through confirming running order for the event
18th / 19th	Invite to be sent out Each person to share on their networks Tim to share with Salford Uni
WC 23rd	Zoom catch up
WC 30th	All videos / presentations to be shared Jo and Sam – share individually to be compiled into one place ready for the event
8th Dec	Symposium all  day

We have also gained two more members in our group taking us to a group of 10. The two new members are Vilija Skubute and Vincent Bernier.

So now I have to finalize what I am going to present for my part of the symposium.

I really love mornings like this, when a whole world of opportunities are opened to you.

Another morning spent in the 3D modelling department at university, this time I decided to scan one of my carved limestone heads. I have to say it was slow going due to problems with the technology ( a 16 year old laptop that is on its last legs), half an hour and twenty attempts later and there was a passable scan which we were able to edit and fill digitally.

For my research this time we are not only printing this head in silver, we are also printing it using brass and copper filaments so there will hopefully be three extra heads to assess . What also interests me about the copper and brass filaments is the possibility that they can be handled and worked like metal. Not only can they be polished but they can also be oxidised and aged with vinegar to get an antique finish.

The above photo is also of interest as it shows the building of the 3D print. I thought it would be a hollow build a bit like an Easter egg, but no it has a mesh build within it, which will give the print extra strength and opens up more possibilities of how these prints can be incorporated as components within the finished sculptures.

I also learnt today that Tim can aid me in the casting and making of silicone moulds, this is something that really excites as hopefully a one pice mould can be taken of one of the stone heads, this means I can then make repeat casts of the head in a variety of different materials, such as concrete, wax and resin.

Its just such a shame I did not have all this information 8 months ago, or the chance to have this time to experiment thanks to Covid and the lockdown. The main reason for joining this MA was to do this sort of research in to materials and techniques and to be able to push myself and my work practice in to new directions. I many ways I have achieved this on my own, with the help of books and the internet I have been able to learn the rudiments of stone-carving, but just think of where I could be if I had that time to learn more about 3D printing, especially as I have been told that there is a 3D printer on site that can print up to a meter tall. The possibilities are quite breath taking as to what can or could be achieved as my small sculptures could take on a new life in a larger form. The only other thing I have to be mindful of is how I can progress with this learning once the Masters is over and I don’t have access to the equipment and much needed expertise of the technicians. For now I will keep learning and progressing with my areas of research.

Well this piece was working well (look at the last photo) and then I knocked it over. The head sustained damage and the balance was all lost, there was only one thing to do, and that was to go at it with the chisels.
All is not lost and reflecting back I was not upset by what happened, maybe it was meant to go this way to challenge me. Many years ago I was so uptight that if an accident like this happened I would have gone in to a right strip, now it doesn’t seem to bother me.
In fact it seems to have added more tension to this piece. The head looks mauled and unfinished, as if it was discovered by a future civilisation and assembled in to an abstract form of man.
As I said before it embodies the past, present and future.
.
.
.
.

art #artist #artistsoninstagram #contemporaryart #contemoraryartist #sculpture #contemporarysculpture #stack #stonesculptures #stonecarving #cottononmcr #wip

Drawing is a big part of my practice and always has been in one form or other.

Over many years I worked within the confines of a sketch book, honing my skills and hitting my hight wen designing compositions to be turned in to woodblocks.

At that time I was interested in the drawing and printing of Leonard Baskin. Gradually gaining the skill of cutting woodblocks so that they looked like a brush and ink sketch.

The Hydrogen Man print was a big influence as can be seen in my Frustrated Bear print, this was designed and cut when my late wife and I were going through a very hard time with the cancer. I was truly frustrated and angry with the world and found solace and inspiration from Baskin’s work. I could relate to Baskin’s subject matter, the idea of a twisted eviscerated body, drawn of many lines, showing the tension within. In many ways I was able to achieve this with the Frustrated Bear.

But at the same time I was also looking for my own visual language, my own drawing style, something that feels natural and unforced. In many ways it’s funny that I am working within mediums that I used to hate. I really did not like pastels, I did not like the marks they made and how they blended, yet some how they feel the natural medium to use for my current study drawings.

They add an air of spontaneity and freedom that I have been looking for. So for now I will continue to enjoy sketching and drawing with chalks and charcoals and see where this level of exploration leads me.

And so it is another case of going back to the drawing board, not only in the composition but also to review and amend another carved head.
There is still a bit more to carve away at but the balance in this composition is intriguing. It is all about placing the head and distributing the weight at the right point, once this happens every component holds together and supports its self.
There is a stillness and timeless feel to this piece it has a past a present and a future to it.

The past was its original inception,

The present is where it is at now

The future is what it will become
.
.
.

art #artist #artistsoninstagram #contemporaryart #contemoraryartist #sculpture #contemporarysculpture #stack #stonesculptures #stonecarving #cottononmcr #wip @heavysaladsounds