Filling the Void

It started out six months ago as twelve black circular cut out designs on an A4 page and has undergone a variety of transformations throughout the design process. Now finally in the client’s garden, the sculpture takes center stage underneath the dappled light of four olive trees. The subtle polish to the stone still catches a reflection, while the natural inclusions and fissures of the stone display honesty in the natural material of the Kilkenny Limestone. It’s been a extremely rewarding project to work on, with the additional benefit of having generated lots of ideas for more carvings along the way!

LUSTER

 

Cushioned!

This is the first time the stone has been lowered! It gives me a chance to work on the tapering of the base. As most of the weight is mainly on the right hand side of the sculpture, it will be interesting to see if the stone still balances, unsupported when I raise it again! When it comes to pinning the sculpture to the plinth it will sit off - centre on the base to give a sense of balance. I was hoping to drill the sculpture this time around, but I am going to have to lift it up again, place it back on the plinth, mark it up and lower it again! This is only because I think the bottom needs to be made tighter by rounding both of the sides. Over all I'm happy with the twist in the stone but the temptation is still there to push on with making the bands thinner. The only problem however is by doing this, it  increases the risk factor!!

London Calling

I have been invited by the director of ARTful, Eleni Polycarpou to showcase two sculptures within the foyer of 1 Curzon St & 72 Welbeck St, London.  You can view both stone sculptures in their surroundings by following the link below.

http://www.artful.org.uk/jason-mulligan-72-welbeck-st-1-curzon-st-w1/

365 Portrait Project

I had the pleasure of inviting my local ‘Primary School Headmaster’ from Barming out to my workshop to have a look at what I’ve been up to since starting the Cobtree Project. Robin Halls is also a very keen photographer who last January set him self a task of taking a portrait every day for a year. He has called this body of work ‘The 365 Portrait Project’. I can recall speaking with Robin probably 11 months ago about his work and how challenging his project sounded due to his busy commitments as a Head Teacher. Of course, I was more than happy to invite him out to the workshop when he expressed an interest in photographing portraits of artist’s to add variety to the theme of individual portraits. On previous occasions before when I have had portraits taken I am normally unrecognizable. My face is obscuered with a dust mask, ear defenders and a hat, just the way I like it!! However, as it was early in the morning and I had yet to get togged up with mask and grinder, Robin was able to catch me dust free and content. You can check out more of Robin’s photos and follow his last few weeks of portraits by clicking the link below. You might even be surprised and see someone you know!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/91676789@N07/11484350354/in/set-72157638291575344

Winter's setting in.

The mist and fog has been lying thick in the valley below and on the hills the last few mornings. The temperature has been mild, but the dampness and moisture in the air has been playing havoc with the compressor!! If it's not cutting out, it's icing up because of the weather! This was becoming a little frustrating and was preventing me from quickly getting on with removing the stone from a very hard block of Kilkenny. As annoying as this had become, I was soon drawn to the view across the field to the right of the workshop. There are two small rescued horses in the field. The one in the picture is called Bramble. For a moment I forgot about carving and stood focused on the horse, admiring the imposing mist and fog and how atmospheric the landscape looked.

Where ideas are made!

A moment captured when the autumnal light pierced the back of my seat and cast a shadow onto a sphere of Irish Blue Limestone. A moment of sudden enlightenment when an idea springs to mind! 

Touch Stone

I've stopped counting the days I've been working on this sculpture as I've been focusing on a new commission and all the paperwork that comes with it. I think it might be day 8!!

The days away from it and the reconnection with it again has left me considering a few ideas and a new approach to the carving. One idea I have had has risen from the temptation to always touch the top of the stone column when I'm working it. This has resulted in me rounding the top of the stone and because it stands at 1.5m it is inviting for the viewer to reach out and touch the warm tactile quality of the 'Portland Capsule'. The idea of texturing the lower half of the sculpture has also changed and I have now began to introduce a fluted pattern across its surface. The notion is to explore the history of the landscape through the representation of core sampling while also referencing my physical exploration of the stone and the reductive process of carving. 

Lazy Days

Yesterday was one of those testing days, as much as I tried, my efforts on shaping the stone by the end of the day had only produced dust and a few stone chipping's. In a way I needed a day like that to help me slow down and look closely at how the sculpture was developing. Today however was more successful and I am pleased with how it's taking shape. I've lowered the stone again and brought it back out into the natural light to highlight al those lumps and bumps! I'm looking forward to polishing this Portland up however I'm already thinking that the lower half will be textured with some nice big punch marks!