Sculpture

THE PROGRAMME:

Develop a critical understanding of the relationship between site, materiality and human intervention. Historical and contextual studies will facilitate an understanding of the cultural and contextual significance of objects and their environment. The contemporary conception of sculpture as an inclusive range of activities is encouraged and students are critically engaged in their studio work supported by lecture and seminar series.

The Sculpture programme is part of a group of related programmes in the Visual Arts at West Dean. Students are encouraged to work together across the diploma programmes with life drawing classes and seminars held with Painting and Drawing and Tapestry and Textile Art students, and those within the Conservation Studies programme.

THE TUTOR:
Dr. Edward Winters is a specialist in the aesthetics of the Visual Arts and a practising artist. He has both an M Phil and PhD in Philosophy, as well as a degree and postgraduate qualification in Painting, having studied at Portsmouth Polytechnic, the Slade School of Fine Art, Birkbeck College London and University College London. Before joining West Dean in 2004 Edward Winters was a Senior Lecturer in Aesthetics at the University of Westminster. His research interests include representation, imagination, painting, architecture, philosophy of mind and Wittgenstein.
Assistant tutor: Marcus Rees Roberts

STUDENT PROFILES:

Meg Shirayama, Professional Development Diploma, Painting and Drawing, 2007 - 2008
I was awarded a scholarship to study at West Dean College after graduating with a MFA in Fine Art Painting at the Slade School of Fine Art in 2007. Whilst here I have produced a number of works inspired by the interdisciplinary environment of West Dean, by acquiring specialist knowledge and techniques, particularly in woodworking. Working with full-time and short course tutors and students who have innovative and inventive approaches to their work, has provided inspiration for future projects and improved my productivity by developing specific hand-skills and techniques.  I have created three-dimensional sculptures combining the skills of furniture making with that of visual interpretation.

Antonio Rodriguez-Rivera, Postgraduate Diploma Sculpture, 2007 - 2008
Born in Mazatlan, Mexico Antonio was the first recipient of a Xilitla Scholarship, which sees the Edward James Museum, The Xilitla Foundation (both in Mexico) and West Dean College working together on an exchange scheme for artists, craftspeople and conservators from Europe and Mexico. Antonio, a sculptor, has worked as an ethnographer, arts teacher, artist and designer in his homeland. His most recent installation, Tree of Life was shown at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester in 2007. He currently works in mixed media with a preference for sculpture.