Antonia Spowers @ Broomhill
We have asked the artist to provide a statement about their work, an edited personal history, and a selection of exhibitions and commissions. The content here is entirely their words and selection. Works illustrated here have been chosen by the artist.
The works shown on this page are not necessarily on display at Broomhill.
The Artist Speaks
“In my work as a sculptor I make things from many different materials. These can be natural materials such as wood, clay, stone and metal or they can be man made things like glass, paper and plaster. I don't carve the wood and stone - in fact all my work is assembled and built up.
“Sometimes things are made in clay, plaster, wax or polystyrene and then cast in glass or plaster. For each piece I think very carefully about where it will go and this helps me to decide what materials to use. Materials all have a strong personalities and to me seem full of ideas.. If the work is staying outside all the year round in different weather then it is important that it is made in something that will last so my sculptures in paper are designed to live inside. But even paper can be coated with wax and will last outside during the summer. Sculptors also have to think about things like space, weather conditions, maintenance and safety.
“I find making a new sculpture is like solving a problem and what is learnt from one piece of work is carried along and helps the next project. Also thinking about a new piece of work can take as long as making it.
“All my work is about energy - the flow of water and the way it can change to solid ice and steam, the changing weather and patterns of growth and even the energy that lies unseen under the ground in objects made and buried thousands of years ago. Even if the chosen materials are man-made I feel there is a strong contribution of energy in their construction.
“Sometimes I work alone making things for commissions and exhibitions and sometimes I work with people in residencies and schools. At the moment I am helping one form in a Cardiff Primary School to design and construct a relief sculpture on a wall using materials we have been given from the Welsh Millennium Centre.”
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
- 2002 Beatrice Royal Gallery, Eastleigh, Hampshire
- 2000 Life of Water Brecknock Museum and Gallery, Brecon, Powys
- 1999 Theatre Clera, Welshpool
- 1998 Unfolding, Red House Museum, Christchurch
- 1998 Unfolding, Allen Gallery, Alton
- 1995 Pump House Gallery, Battersea Park
- 1995 Sub-Tropical Garden, Battersea Park
Group Exhibitions
- 2003 Christmas Exhibition, West Wales Art Centre, Fishguard
- 2003 Tatton Park Horticultural Show
- 2003 Sculpture in Paradise, Chichester Cathedral
- 2002 Welsh Drawing Biennale
- 2002 Garden Gallery, Broughton
- 2002 Christmas Exhibition, Tabernacle Gallery, MOMA, Macynlleth
- 2001 Broomhill Gallery, Barnstaple
- 2001 Phoenix Gallery, Exeter
- 2001 Flower Festival, Covent Garden
- 2000 Beatrice Royal Gallery, Eastleigh
- 2000 Hilliers Arboretum
- 1999 Mythic Garden Exhibition, Stone Farm Gardens, Chagford
- 1998 The Art of Living, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury
- 1997 The Walled Garden at Pigeonsford, Llangranog
- 1997 Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham
- 1997 Paperweight Exhibition, Salisbury Museum
- 1996 Paperweight Exhibition, Maidstone Museum
- 1996 North Tyneside Open Exhibition, Buddle Art Centre Wallsend
- 1996 Cheltenham Open Drawing Exhibition
- 1996 Hardcastle Crags Sculpture Trail
- 1996 Ragley Hall, Warwickshire
- 1996 Blickling Hall, Norfolk
- 1996 Art and Engineering, Wallsen
- 1995 Westonbirt Arboretum
- 1994 Art Show, Alexandra Palace
- 1994 Euro Sculpture, Carhaix, Brittany
