G/D Plaster Sculptures

Z: Under the Influence of Juan Gris

Juan Gris (1887-1927), a spanish artist who lived and worked in France, was often referred to as the 'Third Cubist', after Picasso and Braque. Like them, 

he made still-life paintings in the Cubist style and introduced collages into his work.

  From 1913 he began to change his style into synthetic Cubism and used a lot of papier collé.  His work differed from Picasso and Braque because he used much brighter colours, in colour combinations that were more like those of his friend Matisse.

The student's sculpture is made of 5 parts, each part having been carved in response to a different painting by Juan Gris.   Making a tall sculpture with different parts to it has some similarities to the monumental Totem sculptures carved by the indigenous peoples of North American, the Roman Trajan's Column and the architectural work of  Gaudi.  You can see a life size plaster cast of the Trajan's Column in the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) in London.  It's free to visit this museum in South Kensington, and very easy to get there by tube.

G. Tongariro Lighthouse

This 3D plaster carving was inspired by an Edward Hopper painting and the Tongariro landscape in New Zealand.  

Tongariro National Park was granted dual World Heritage status, for its outstanding natural features and the cultural importance the peaks and rivers represent to the local Maori. The area was designated a National Park on 23rd September 1887, Te Heuheu, Paramount Chief of the Ngati Tuiwharetoa people, gifted 2,630ha of the central volcano area to the New Zealand Government, including the summits of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. His move secured the mountains for all people, for all time. 

He said 

"Behold, beyond are the fires of these mountains and the lands we have held in trust for you. Take them in your care and cherish them, they are your heritage and the heritage of your children." 

Tongariro still smokes, the ancestral fires still burn and the land lives on for all. Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu have all erupted in recent times. In 1990 the park was recognised as a World Heritaghe Site for its outstanding natural value. The Volcanoes in particular are noted for the frequency of eruptions, their highly explosive nature and the high density of volcanic vents. Then in 1993, Tongairo National Park became the first palce in the world to be listed as a World Heritage Site for the Spiritual and cultural values that the landscape holds for indigenous people.  

The two beautiful lakes on the 17 km walk, known as The Tongariro Crossing, are called the Blue Lake and the Emerald Lake.  These are both shown in the sculpture.  Combining the carving of an active volcanic landscape with a drawing of Edward Hopper's painting of a lighthouse begins to ask the viewer interesting questions about the safety of our earth and the role of humans to do more than sit down and watch.