With Space in Mind: Sculptors’ Prints at the Alan Cristea Gallery

With Space in Mind displays the prints and works on paper by nine sculptors. It holds a unique concept, illustrating their initial ideas in different mediums and revealing that they are not limited to sculptures, rather this is just one way in which they communicate ideas.

These prints explore the relationship between multiple dimensions, whether through directly referencing sculptures or the physical process in making the print. The artists clearly convey their outlook on the development of their art and their individual approach to printmaking. This does not contradict the sculptures for which they are renowned, rather complements them as it stresses the importance of process and material and emphasises that their artwork is not only physical, but that image also holds great importance. The process of printmaking is representative of their expansion of form and ideas that spur their sculptural works and thus pave a fundamental style throughout their pieces. Whether using printing blocks, glass negatives or even their own bodies, the sculptors provide an insight on their beliefs and allow the viewers to relate to the thinking process behind their works.

The highlight of the exhibition is the Cornelia Parker’s collection, Thirty Pieces of Silver (Exposed), which is a series of photogravures of glass negatives. She emphasises that they are actual objects – not just images of the objects. This assembly contains a consistency, as the prints can be viewed as a unique sense of transformation that does not lose the physicality of the object, but allows it to appeal to the viewer as three-dimensional shapes.

The exhibition has a clear plan, segregating the pieces of each sculptor comprehensively, but also grouping them so that the distinct styles can also impact positively on one another. Moreover, the variety in approaches and styles allow the viewers to understand the diverse thinking processes involved in the creation of sculpture. However, the pieces themselves could be considered limited and the effect is significantly concentrated on the process of the sculptors, which can be a weakness as well as strength. Unless the viewer has much interest in this field or is considering the purchase of the pieces, it can be quite monotonous, although intriguing nonetheless.

Scott Tan

With Space in Mind: Sculptors’ Prints is at Alan Cristea Gallery from 19^th November until 23^rd December 2015, for further information visit here.