In Search of the Sacred Sculpture

I am a self-taught artist working primarily in concrete and metal. My work is inspired by a range of references from the natural world to the functional and every day and is a reflection of a personal journey. I create what I feel from my experience and the sculpture is an invitation to look within. Concentrated, enclosed, precious, the work is something to preserve and contemplate. I draw on a language of form and structure built from reference points found in the external world. Connecting these to the human experience, I seek to find a language that is visually rich and layered with meaning. Cast concrete, cast and sheet metals are used in the works, with each imparting in the sculpture its unique quality. Precisely engineered elements give reference points, and, removed from their original context and place, add a fresh dimension to their form and function. The text in the work invites a spirit of intrigue and exploration. Doors, openings and enclosures also appear in my work drawing the viewer to journey into the uncharted and unknown; a landscape to be explored and unlocked. My sculpture provides me with an expanding language and as my ideas develop the vocabulary becomes richer. I am now engaged full-time with my sculpture, working on larger scale works and exploring experimental methods of casting. My practice is constantly evolving and developing as I explore the boundaries of materials. I live and work in South Oxfordshire in the UK. Richard Goldsmith December 2014