Earthworks sculpture
Earthworks sculpture exhibition explores local
links
Intricate sculptures – handcrafted from soils
excavated within 20 miles of Bath – make up the latest fascinating
exhibition to be staged at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s
Victoria Art Gallery.
“Earthworks”, by Peter Burke, uses the
sculptures of individuals connected with Bath and the surrounding
area to explore the relationship between people, place and the
earth.
Other sculptures feature appendages, heads or
partial figures, such as “Ritual” which comprises two dozen feet
coming out of the gallery wall and then returning. The “Cup” series
depicts pairs of life-size cupped hands against one metre squares
of cracked earth. The sculpture “Of Landscape” is a row of heads,
all cast from different soils and contained within steel
frames.
The variety of soils found within a 20 mile
radius of Bath includes the white chalk of Westbury, deep red soil
of Bristol, vivid red soil north of Bath and yellow-brown Cotswold
soils.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down),
Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bath & North
East Somerset Council welcomes visitors to the Victoria Art Gallery
for this thought-provoking and engaging new exhibition.
“Peter Burke’s sculptures explore the notion
that the earth beneath our feet is the most fundamental way that we
can establish our sense of place and set down roots.”
Peter Burke trained as a jig and tool
designer with Rolls Royce in Bristol. After attending art college
he became a Foundation Course lecturer in 3D Art and Design. Since
1994 he has been active full time as a sculptor, exhibiting his
work internationally and winning prestigious awards. He lives and
works in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.
The exhibition runs from 3 December 2011 to 5
February 2012; with a free tour led by Peter Burke on Saturday 7
January from 1pm-1.45pm.
The Victoria Art Gallery also hosts Kate
Flood: “The Light Within” – a collection of radiant landscape
paintings which offer glimpses from windows or shaded enclosures to
explore the contrast between stillness and the shifting patterns of
foliage, light and shade.
The Bath artist will give a free talk and tour
to the blind and partially sighted from 10.30am to 12noon on
Thursday 15 December as part of her exhibition, which runs from 3
December 2011 to 5 February 2012.
The Victoria Art Gallery, near Pulteney Bridge
in Bath, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sundays 1.30pm to
5pm and closed on Mondays. Admission is free. For more details call
01225 477233 or visit the Gallery’s website http://www.victoriagal.org.uk/.
ENDS