Drawing in On Brown & Violet Grounds

The relationship between the sculptor and the act of drawing is a highly personal affair. Technical drawings are, predominately, confined to a studio notebook - never to be exhibited but indispensible in the struggle of translating ideas into concrete outcomes. As creative endeavour itself, drawing forges a path to artistic truth, as this quote from sculptor Barbara Hepworth on the critical need for drawing explains: ‘...I search for forms and rhythms and curvatures for my own satisfaction...but it is in a general sense - that is - out of the drawings springs a general influence.’ 4 The ‘general influence’ that Hepworth suggests elucidates the power of drawing to sculptural practice: each mark influences, informs and nourishes the artistic process. However drawing shouldn’t be confined to paper based activity. During the creation of her work - whether drawing on paper or arranging the order of fluorescent sticklights on a concrete floor - West uses each element as an exploratory tool; experimenting with colour and space until the work is harmonious with its surroundings.  

- Jack Welsh, 2013

Restricted Juxtaposition #1, #2 & #3 

Paint pen and spray paint on graph paper 

29.5 x 42 cm 

2013   

Image Credit: Stephen Iles

Reversed Grounds (below left) 

Paint pen on photocopy 

29.5 x 21 cm 

2013   

Boundaries between the mixture (below right) 

Spray paint on graph paper 

42 x 29.5 cm 

2013 

Image Credit: Stephen Iles