nicola godden
DESCRIPTION
Hay Hill Gallery - the catalogue of sculptures by Nicola GoddenTRANSCRIPT
NICOLA GODDEN
Nicola Godden’s sculpture often begins life in found natural objects, such as bone, flint or coral. Using wire to recreate the movement and flow of the raw material, she literally cements the idea in plaster or clay to cast later in bronze. Her skilled patinations cause the metal to appear cool or warm. Involving herself in every part of the casting process is extremely important to this artist who chooses bronze for its rich history and timeless quality. Godden transforms the bronze into the precious hues of malachite, opal or jade- her finished patinations are the work of alchemy.
I have never worked from drawing I cannot plan what I do - if I did it would kill spontaneity
Icarus II Bronze, edition of 12 180 x 200 x 90 m
The iconic ‘Icarus’ series could be made of wax and feathers, stretching out their wings in an effort to cross the sea, or tumbling headfirst into the crashing waves. Hay Hill Gallery’s front window housed the stunning Icarus II, a life-size golden sculpture, before it was sold
Vol D’Etincelle I Bronze, edition of 9 78 x 35.5 x 53 cm
Vol D’Etincelle II Bronze, edition of 9 92 x 48.5 x 35 cm
Icarus III Bronze, slate base, edition of 25 55 x 35 x 18 cm
Icarus IV Bronze, slate base, edition of 25 58 x 33 x 14.5 cm
Icarus VII (Falling) Bronze, edition of 9 65 x 32 x 20 cm
Icarus VI Bronze, slate base, edition of 25 54 x 34 x 23 cm
Icarus Rising Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 85 x 59 cm
Eve III Bronze, edition of 9 73 x 32 x 25 cm
Godden’s ‘Eve’ torsos are mesmerising, graceful lines that rest somewhere between the figurative and abstraction. First inspired by a pebble that resembled the female body, the artist has taken her accidental discovery to an extreme, replicating the natural form first in clay and then casting it in bronze.
Eve I Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 24 x 7 x 5 cm
Eve IV Bronze, edition of 9 73 x 30 x 24 cm
Torso De Femme Bronze, edition of 9 39 x 18 x 14 cm
Coast 110 x 160 cm Oil on canvas
Bird Town 110 x 170 cm Oil on linen
Bird Town 110 x 170 cm Oil on canvas
Bird Town 110 x 170 cm Mixed media on canvas
Torso Torsade Bronze, edition of 9 35 x 14 x 14.5
Bone Form I Bronze slate base, edition of 9 height 36 cm
Smaller pieces for writing desks or bookshelves can be found soaring or landing in various corners of the gallery, patinated in verdigris or shades of amber.
Bone Form II Bronze, edition of 6 127 x 52 x 45 cm
Couple II Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 34 x 13 x 8 cm
Eclat De Pierre Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 49 x 12 x 15 cm
Arche Ossulaire Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 64 x 20 x 15 cm
Déchires Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 42 x 15 x 10 cm
Femme IV Bronze, edition of 9 8 x 35 x 15 cm