Density and Lightness: Southwest Sculptors at Exeter Cathedral until 30th August
25 SCULPTORS, 75 SCULPTURES
4 years in the planning, Southwest Sculptors group exhibition “Density and Lightness” is at Exeter Cathedral all Summer,
Careful curation and juxtapositioning highlights the links between these contemporary guest sculptures including pieces made from stone, wood, ceramic, bronze, plaster, steel and glass, and the Cathedral’s own permanent works.
Inside the Cathedral I have 2 fused glass site-specific installations SCREEN and MELODY, and outside in the Cloister Gardens a collaborative sculpture with Richard Bent SINGING BIRD TREE
The exhibition was featured on BBC news, mainly focusing on the dramatic works of SWS Chair Martin Staniforth but also including Singing Bird Tree & other sculptures.
Fused glass SCREEN
St Paul’s Chapel, with Eddie Kent’s LIFE LINKS (ceramic) in front.
SCREEN comprises 52 individual pendant Roundels, made from Bullseye glass with dichroic glass inclusions.
A site-specific work, the Roundels echo the lovely glass of the Chapel window which includes original mediaeval glass fragments. This window was made by the Architectural Association for the Cathedral in 1921 to decorate the Frederick Drake Memorial and moved to St Pauls’s Chapel in 1953.
MELODY above Bishop Lacey’s tomb in the Ambulatory. Inspired by Debussy, the opening phrases of Claire de Lune …. the coloured glass represents the piano notes on the score and the little clear ones are the stave lines.
MELODY was developed through discussions with pianist Gillian Langton who will play Claire de Lune as part of her performance for the Private View in July (delayed due to Covid).
Gillian Langton sounding out the grand piano during installation of the sculptures.
SINGING BIRD TREE, fused glass and forged steel, is a collaborative work with artist blacksmith Richard Bent.
We have made a number of Trees together, but this is the most elaborate to date. The trees are intended for open spaces within a garden, so that they provide a safe perching place for birds to rest or sing.
Richard’s vigorous and beautiful leaves and stems.
At least one singing bird… the glass ‘leaves’ are fairly chunky but do move, rotating around the steel cable or rods.
Brilliant art work Jan, absolutely stunning use of colour and what a great setting installing the work in the Cathedral, a setting which really shows the works off. Well done all who contributed, including yourself!