Feats of Clay

by Glenda Abramson

Chaise Longue by Zoe Sparrowhawk

This is an exhibition created by the Sunningwell School of Art sculpture class taught by sculptor Wilbur Heynes, and what a pleasure it is! The artists worked on three main poses: one, a seated man with his legs dangling over an edge - a precipice, a wall? The second pose is a relaxed seated man and the third, a woman reclining on an elaborate chaise longue. You might think that this would be boring and repetitive since 34  pieces are shown, but on the contrary, the great interest of this exhibition is to see what the artists do with the same poses, the variations they create. Some of the pieces are unglazed, some partially glazed, some demonstrate absolute repose, others, tension. And this exhibition is distinguished by something that one rarely finds in sculpture exhibitions: humour. These artists have approached the poses with noticeable wit. One artist has given her seated male figure a cap and bathing towel, another, a crown.

Naked Gardener by Leslie Denby, Peaky Blinders by Lydia Ashby, Self Portrait by Naomi Morris

One piece consists of two facing women reclining on their chaises, as if having a chat. Another, a mixed media piece entitled “Self-Portrait,” has the body of s woman but the head is a real skeleton of a small animal with sharp teeth. A series of glazed white tiles, entitled The Three Graces is a riff on the bas relief, with the picture formed by all the tiles brilliantly realised.

            In the gazebo is the largest figure of the exhibition, an inventive variation on the reclining pose, made in cubist style, unglazed and with extraordinary sculptural consistency.

Modern Repose by Michelle Leveque

There are a number of portrait heads of different models too, but each has its unique version.

Macarena by Robin Williams, Putin and Zelensky by Vicky Farrar-Hockley, Macarena by Georgina Howes

            There is much to study and enjoy in this exhibition, which is also beautifully displayed in the spring garden. Well done Will, his students and his feats and feasts of clay!