Summer

Loane Bobillier

My body of work is a multi-medium exploration of shape, form, space and the relationship between the viewer, their situation and how that affects their perception of the artwork. In my practice I reflect on relevant thoughts and subjects that relate humans to the world.

As an international student having lived in three different countries I find it hard to understand and acknowledge where I belong. The concept can be related to my recent sculpture ‘The Cube’, a steel structure representing a cubic form. ‘The Cube’ was conceived to be placed within nature, where the steel was originally formed. This relationship between the natural world and the steel cube is not perceived as when ‘The Cube’ is amongst nature it appears man-made and out of place. There is a disconnection between the manmade object and nature. Although the reflective quality of the steel allows ‘The Box’ to start blending into its surroundings, the eerie quality of its existence amongst the tree branches directs you to the concept that ‘The Cube’ belongs elsewhere. The non-restrictive element of working with multi-mediums and the non-restrictive nature of sculpture enables me to create work with no framed boundaries, this also allows me to explore the cubic form without fatiguing through one method of exploration. ‘Touch’, another resolved work of mine where a patinated bronze sphere is enclosed within a perspex acrylic box explores the relation between the viewer and the work. Although the sphere is so attainable and near, it is obviously unattainable as it is enclosed within a clear square box. The concept of untouchable beauty is inspired by the soft delicate inner surface of natural forms such as a cacti; having a soft interior protected by robust defensive spikes to prevent harm created by the external world. Wanting to represent the mask we wear in society, sometimes we feel we are so close to someone yet we all seem to have to hide our true selves behind transparent masks. The title "Touch” contradicts the untouchable bronze sphere. So close, yet so far.

My work considers the viewer's interpretation of their own relativity with the sculpture. Although a lot of my pieces appear as simple shapes there is an extensive time consuming craftsmanship production process which cannot be immediately perceived. For example, when creating ‘Touch’; the creation of two semi-circle bronze casts took over 24 hours to produce. The simple outcome of a turquoise sphere needed sanding, welding, polishing and a long process of patination. This hidden process refers to how we perceive things at face value yet there are many different aspects that come together to create a space, an object or a situation. My sculptures act as a reminder to evaluate one’s own life situation against other situations and to think deeper about what connects us to the external world.

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