BAXTERS Interview with artist K irsty Elson
Kirsty Elson is one of 12 artists showing at Baxters for their “Spring” exhibition starting on May 22nd. Kirsty’s work is in huge demand so the work will only be available in the gallery initially rather than on the website. Another good reason to come to Dartmouth and enjoy Galleries Night! We talked to Kirsty to find out more about her work.
How did you start creating your driftwood sculptures? It all started about 11 years ago. I found a little sliver of driftwood that was the same shape as the hull of a boat. I used it to make a card for a family member and then started producing them to sell in local galleries. Gradually, over time, these 2 dimensional pictures grew in size and I began to make 3 dimensional pieces. The boats came first: then after finding a piece of driftwood the same shape as a house, I started making cottages and then coastal scenes. What comes first, the idea for a scene or a piece of wood suggesting a possible sculpture? Oh definitely the latter! I’m always inspired by the materials I find and it keeps my work fresh too I think.
Are you always looking for materials you can use? Yes, I don’t think I ever switch off. I tend to pick up bits wherever we go. My sons are great at finding things as well: my youngest is always picking up washers and bits of metal for me!
How long will it take you to create a sculpture from when you first collect your beach combings?
It varies really. If the wood is dry, I can use it straight away. Some of the smaller sculptures only take an hour or two. The largest pieces take up to a few days. Which artists inspire you? Alfred Wallis for his subject matter and naive style is an obvious one. I adore Edwina Bridgeman, who uses all sorts of rubbish to make her art (though she tends to focus on people and animals). Also Carlo
Nannetti and Francesca Crisafulli, the founders of
Mook.it, who recycle all sorts of materials to make incredible, fun sculptures. You have become a bit of a social media phenomenon with about 200,000 followers on facebook. What are the pro’s and cons of having this scale of following? It’s a bit bonkers really!
I seem to be in a very fortunate position at the moment, where I can make what I like and someone will buy it. I made a decision not to do commissions a while ago because I was getting more orders than I could produce and it wasn’t fun anymore! I’m not sure how long it will last. The downside is that customers get understandably frustrated because it has become difficult to actually buy before someone else does. Also, social media has become almost a full-time job because I get so many messages. Baxters, 12 Foss St, Dartmouth TQ6 9DR
www.baxtersgallery.co.uk 01803 839000
An exhibition from Friday 22nd May - Thursday 11th June Preview evening Friday 22nd May 6-9pm
spring Baxters, 12 Foss St, Dartmouth TQ6 9DR Tel 01803 839000 liz cooksey kirsty elson mani parkes tracey elphick james newton adams
caroline rees
The exhibition is part of Dartmouth Galleries Week when most of the galleries in Dartmouth launch a new show on the same evening. simon griffiths
janet bell
suzanne breakwell
www.baxtersgallery.co.uk
andrea berry (polka)
robyn coetzee julia crimmen
info@baxtersgallery.co.uk
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