Chris Gilmour shapes British legend entirely out of cardboard boxes

Chris Gilmour, The Triumph of Good and Evil, 2011, Cardboard and glue, Life-size Photo credit: Photo Mattias

The Triumph Of Good And Evil by the UK born sculptor, Chris Gilmour, is made entirely out of corrugated cardboard.  A recent work, he designed the 13ft life-sized St George and the dragon sculpture from discarded boxes he found in the streets that shopkeepers had left out for recycling in his home town of Udine, North Italy.  The artist comments, ‘The piece took two months to make and is based on a study of classical statues, typically made in bronze .... The work is a consideration of the idea of polarising, or simplifying the concept of right and wrong and the idea that ‘evil’ can be defeated by heroic combat'. 

Chris Gilmour received his BA from the University of the West of England, Bristol and studied at South Trafford College, Manchester. He has exhibited his work internationally since 1998 and has had recent solo shows in Italy and the United States.  He received Italy’s Premio Cairo award in 2007.  He was also included in Slash: Paper Under the Knife at the Museum of Art and Design, NY. His work can be found in numerous private and public collections including the Zabludowicz Collection, UK. This sculpture is a central component of the exhibition, A Cut Above: 12 Paper Masters that opens at the Christopher Henry Gallery on May 10 and runs until June 24. 


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Jaq Belcher: Paper Meditations

My works are created using a single sheet of paper, a pencil and an Exacto knife.

Through this work I explore aspects of consciousness and alternative states of being. The focus is on the process of reduction and repetition, and derives from musings on the manipulation of matter. This practice allows and requires stillness. The process hones concentration and therefore the power of the mind through focus.

The exploration of these ideas began taking a visual direction as I was pondering the beauty of a single expanse of white paper. How can one enhance such a simple and beautiful void? And so the process of reduction was born with the resulting works being quietly patterned and complex. They are, a proclamation if you will, to the power of silence, and testify to the practice of 'being' in the moment and completely 'present'.

 The work is created in, and intended for natural light, which allows the spectrum of white light to be visible through reflection and angles of the paper. The pieces draw on the presence of the viewer and the inner self that stands before each piece. I am inspired by a wide pool of references, from eastern and western meditation  practices, inner alchemy, esoteric philosphy and the study of sacred geometry.

Artwork and statement by Jaq Belcher

Jaq Belcher, Access Point, 2012, Hand cut paper, 5,071 cuts

 

Jaq Belcher, Access Point, 2012, (detail)

Jaq Belcher, Form is Empty, 2011, Hand cut paper, 5,823 cuts