INSPIRED BY...
Inspired by...
is the title of an exhibition hosted by Morley College and open until June19th. It's organised in
partnership with the V & A (Victoria and Albert Museum) and
NIACE (National Centre for Adult Continuing Education). It celebrates
work from across the UK, from London to Penzance,
Aberystwyth and Edinburgh.
Morley is 5 minutes walk from The Old Vic theatre and a mere 10-12 minutes down Westminster Bridge Road from Big Ben itself.
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| Contrapuntal by Nicholas Baelz |
My first impression was that it presented a conundrum. Chrome cylinders do not sit demurely on a slope, any more than ball bearings can resist the urge to scatter in every direction. And how do those welcoming, gracious curves - so solid, so present - live together in harmony in such a way that you cannot imagine a different configuration?
Nick Baelz says "I do not draw a work first, rather my work flow
is organic; a piece grows intuitively from a basic concept or
inspiration. In this case my choice of material was mild steel,which I
subsequently painted, and a chrome sphere. The steel was bent in a
roller, and after experimenting with various curves and shapes I
chose those that flowed and welded them together".
He goes on to explain the mystery of that glorious silver ball: "The sphere is
attached in such a way as to make the join invisible and positioned
to ensure the work balances. The class has helped me complete
this work by providing me with the technical skills needed
for metalwork, encouraged me to develop self-criticism and the
support to explore my creative imagination without the fear of
failure".
The supportive class he refers to is at Morley College, which is celebrating its 125th year. I only discovered after I'd made my selection that although there were entries from adult colleges across the UK, the four works I chose were from Morley students.
The supportive class he refers to is at Morley College, which is celebrating its 125th year. I only discovered after I'd made my selection that although there were entries from adult colleges across the UK, the four works I chose were from Morley students.
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| Paimio Armchair 1930 by Alvar Aalto. Birch plywood and solid birch |
Let the artist have the last word about what inspired him in the V&A: "I chose
this piece for its beauty, simplicity and joyful vibrancy of colour.
Although designed in the 1930s it still looks contemporary today. I
was inspired by its organic form and uplifting curves. The chair is
both functional and sculptural. Being solid enough to support
the human frame yet at the same time it appears seemingly
weightless. It is these characteristics I have strived to reflect in
my sculpture".
www.vam.ac.uk/page/c/current-exhibitions/
www.artgoingplaces.com/magnificent.php
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