Matt West - 3D design

Personal Statement and description of work

The conceptual and technical development of my work is informed by research undertaken during travel to a diversity of cultures, including West Africa, Asia and the Americas. Fascinated by the imagery and symbolism found within the Arts and Crafts of these indigenous societies, I have also studied traditional hand building and firing methods.

My work has developed through two strands. Initially, I produced large scale, hand built sculptures with figurative references (images of which are included on my Portfolio page). More recently, I have established a workshop with Birmingham Art Trust, developing a new body of work with a broadened conceptual base, using a range of different materials and processes. I have explored new ideas through large scale mould making, the use of casting slips and incorporated mixed media, such as turned metals.

I developed ideas based on the theme of the "Tree of Life" and it's symbolic and functional relationship to the candlestick, together with the use of candles within ceremony. This highlighted a link between the Mexican Folk Pottery tradition and the Jewish "Menorah" candelabrum, which is thought to have derived from the Middle Eastern "Tree of Life".

My work now focuses on exploring the re-interpretation of images, objects or forms with a symbolic, ceremonial, ritualistic or commerative significance, within a modern context, producing forms with both sculptural and/or functional elements. These ideas evolve through an eclectic approach to research gathering of imagery and the development of a series of abstract drawing and model making.

Materials used

The main body of the structures are cast using white earthenware and/or a bone china casting slip. Additional features include sections made from turned or cast metal, cast glass, or Egyptian paste and modeled from clay that has contrasting qualities to that of the ceramic casting slip.

Copyright © 2003 Rebecca Oakes Domino Digital Designs. All rights reserved. Website designed by Rebecca Oakes. Reproduction in whole or in part of this website is strictly prohibited.