The strength and fragility of nature is made manifest in the work of two very different artists in the spring 2024 exhibitions at Cupola Gallery, Sheffield.
Organic by Kathryn Watson
Long Gallery
“It begins with a moment of awe at the structures and patterns of nature. Leaf stems criss crossing on a tarmac path, alliums rising like castle turrets, a fleshy exotic plant that evolves into dancing flowers and an arched branch of rosy red apples. There is no attempt to replicate but more to capture and extract the essence of a structure be it through form, scale, texture ,orientation or repetition.” – Kathryn Watson
Kathryn creates stoneware clay sculptures often using a natural white, dark brown/black or rich red clay that resembles hardened earth. The sculptures look, and often are, fairly weighty pieces. Her free standing lattice sculptures resemble blocks of stone that have been intricately carved or hewn from the once solid structure. The shape has been formed through the removal of clay rather than by constructing the fronds or tendrils, branches or ledges. Even her tendril forms, stacked high with layers of hollowed or curved forms interlaced with pierced spheres are formidable.
Kathryn seems to relate to the strength of nature in her work. The addition of wire detail into a number of her sculptures adds a grace and elegance but doesn’t reduce the feeling of inherent toughness. Many of her sculptures are designed to be seen in an outdoor setting and so they will have to be tough enough to withstand what nature can and does throw at us. Her pieces are rarely decorated as the form itself is what is most important. From small maquettes around 9cm high through to sculptures stacked on steel rods up to 1.50m tall, the collection is an impressive array of solid, beautiful, organic forms which are timeless, just like nature itself. Work for sale. Prices £30–£1500.
In Praise of Shadows by Fumi
Main Gallery
Unfeasibly delicate tiny sculptures of insects constructed from hydrangea petals and leaves placed inside constructed habitats featuring both natural materials and man made objects. This is an exquisite and deeply moving exhibition of the fragility and impermanence of beauty and life.
Butterflies or imaginary insects constructed from flower petals and leaves stuck with a pin or placed on a raspberry, alighting on a recorder or wandering between dried leaves are just a few of the pieces in the exhibition. With titles like Apothecary’s perception, Raspberry Rhapsody, Pianissimo and world in a bottle, the viewer is encouraged to interpret the imagery and consider the emotive power of such fleeting experiences.
“The objects I produce with flowers imply the futility of human activity, and present my acceptance and embrace of natural progression and deterioration in both physical and emotional states.” – Fumi
Launch event:
Friday 3 May, 7:30–9:30pm – all welcome, hospitality provided.
Exhibition open Monday–Saturday 10–6pm
- Featured in
- Art picks
