Together We Rise at Chichester Cathedral July- September 2023

Published December 2022

 

Together We Rise was an idea which galvanised a group of members from the Royal Society of Sculptors who met on zoom throughout the pandemic. Our curator, Jacquiline Creswell, worked with all 26 sculptors to bring about Together We Rise at Chichester Cathedral. Please follow this link to see works in location.

Quercus Edition (2021) is a 3m tall pair of sculptures developed from Quercus (2009-2021), a unique, 6m high sculpture. Quercus Edition uses different materials in its construction which are kinder to the environment than its predecessor. The glass surface is also a progression and is less reflective, completely recycled, and uses beach sand incorporated into the gaps between the glass tiles to link the form to the provenance of glass.

Quercus and Quercus Edition have golden section proportions to reflect the characteristically lobed oak leaf; these proportions are evident in the architectural façades of the Cathedral.

In Together We Rise, Quercus Edition is situated in Paradise, on the grass, in homage to the natural world which we must respect to successfully perpetuate on this planet.

The pandemic was a time of uncertainty and feeling supported by a group of like minds was an important aspect of my personal resilience.

I worked on Quercus during the pandemic, and it was visible behind me in my studio during many of our RSS zoom meetings. The pandemic gave me the opportunity to rework the glass surface, using all the skills learned since I first created the sculpture. The surface is a huge painting in glass enamels fired onto glass, cut by hand, and tailored to fit the form. The vibrant colours which glow through the rich browns suggest the energy captured within. They specifically responded to a visit to an ancient yew forest on the South Downs at mid-winter solstice, when the rain-soaked timber appears a shocking red and orange, blue and green palette. The old trees formed a cave-like, protective meeting place.

Quercus Edition was created subsequently and reflects what I have learned about materials in both the structure and the glass surface. Profile templates are employed to recreate each of the numbered 8 editions of the sculpture.

The pandemic is an anxious time and identifying with this group of sculptors is why I am very glad to be a part of this project.

A few of my photos from the installation

---