christine baxter

Sculpture is a medium for exploration and investigation.

With conceptual sculpture, the medium is irrelevant, it is the idea being investigated that is important. A common contemporary attitude is to consider that figurative work is not about an idea but just representational. Representation is an element, but what I am exploring is the emotional response of the viewer. This is my concept. Whilst making a piece I am consciously trying to understand the emotions I have to it. Hoping for a similar dialogue and emotional response from the viewer.

Once you have the physicality of the clay and the likeness of the model then it becomes interesting. The language of the body, how we read the angle of the mouth the tension in the brow, the eyes...tiny manipulations can create different emotions in the viewer. Not only are you dealing with weight, gravity, tension and poise, but the language of the body. Great figurative works can affect the viewer emotionally. If successful, it gets you in the guts!