Summary
Alison Wilding's freestanding sculpture, Locust, has two main elements. A single copper sheet is wrapped around and almost entirely conceals an oak-wood post. The surface of the copper has a rich patina of bright green, black and dark brown tones. Tightly enveloping the wooden shaft, the sheet metal splits apart at the top and unfurls flamboyantly into a pair of wings. This exuberant crown contrasts with the spare simplicity of the slender pillar. The top of the wooden post is exposed by this aperture, its angled tip coloured by black glossy paint. For additional stability, the post is weighted at the bottom by a concealed lead base.
Wilding came to prominence in the early 1980s as one of a diverse group of artists known collectively as the New British Sculptors. This early work was produced when Wilding was beginning to make a significant impact in exhibitions… (read more)
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