Rings, Wings & Curious Things - A new exhibition of work from hugely talented Northumberland based Sculptor Robin Fox . We are delighted to welcome Robin back for his second solo show with the gallery. This exhibition inspired by flight or things that might fly when imagination allows and contains a truly wonderful selection of pieces.
Robin is a self taught sculptor and works from his home studio near Hexam . All of his work is hand built with no casting involved meaning each piece is truly unique. Much of Robin’s work is inspired by his connection and affinity to the natural world and his subject matter reflects this love of nature and all within it. This too can be seen in his use of natural materials within his sculpture, as he skillfully incorporates wood, stone and metals into his work, allowing their inherent beauty to shine through. Robin places an emphasis on dynamism, mannerism and expression within his work that gives each piece a unique presence and really there is nothing quite like Robin’s work. He has a quirky individual style and magnificent imagination that cannot help but make you smile.
Artist Statement
‘‘Since the dawn of time and our early evolutions from winged creatures, humans have always tried to break free from gravity and take to the skies.This new body of sculpture work is a snap shot from my imagination with all of the pieces featuring creatures with differing capabilities of flight. From mythological Harpy figures, to my own winged interpretations, the work tries to capture dynamism within their compositions whilst retaining a use of more earth bound by elements such as natural sandstone, oxidised iron and patinated / aged bronze finishes to give a sense of artefact.
The playful humour typically adopted in my work including 'Giraffe Hands' and 'Pigeon Toed Cockatoo' are also featured, as well as the 3D wall art of 'Birds on a Bough' - 'Flights of Fantasy' to the larger garden pieces of 'Valkyrie' and 'Propelled' along with some Autumn themed sculpture.
All of my work is hand built over an armature, a skeleton of steel, aluminium or copper with layers of bronze modified epoxy resin modelled over the skeleton allowing me to incorporate re-purposed objects, both metal and wood as part of the structure or surface finish. The natural sandstone used in my work is from a local quarry within a nature reserve. All the stone is quarried by hammer and wedge and is selected carefully to suit each piece. The Hazel branches used in my work are also locally grown and slowly air dried for up to 12 months before incorporating into the pieces used largely in my 3D wall art”
If you would like the chance to meet Robin and hear more about his work and process, he will be in the gallery for a ‘Meet the Artist’ from 11 till 3pm on Saturday September 30th.
