Poppies set in Resin

‘A Congress of Curiosities’

Following on from The Big Jam Project, Hastings artist, Laurence Poole, will be exhibiting his latest collection of assemblage sculptural works at Trinity Art Gallery in Hastings.  The exhibition, called ‘A Congress of Curiosities’, includes HAL the NostalgiaBot, a man-sized robot with a TV head and plasma ball hands! Hot reporter, Joe Fearn has seen a preview and was very impressed. HAL’s body is constructed from a guitarist’s amplifier with a television for a head, which will be playing Dalek movies and old episodes of ‘Monkey'(!).

The artist’s fascination with everyday and found objects will be evident – raw materials include model cars, lolly sticks, recycled steel carbon dioxide bulbs, as well as glass marbles and telephone receivers. Recent works have also utilised postage stamps and vintage film cameras, items that evoke a certain nostalgia. Each sculpture is unique, featuring a mixture of unusual, colourful and charming artefacts. Laurence has been exhibiting in several London galleries and his work is currently featured in global marketing campaigns for Davidoff products.

Giant Gridlock

Laurence Poole: How the Everyday inspires me

“At present I am developing my interest in the colour, tone and form of everyday – or ‘found’ – objects. Often it is these aspects that I at first consider, before the intended function: a pen might be evaluated for the colour of its shaft, before its use as a tool for writing. The aim is not necessarily to elevate a collection of humble and insignificant things into something different and extraordinary – sometimes the objects are simply forming the media used – but if that is achieved, then so much the better. However, whilst placing an object in another context is a staple of conceptual art, I prefer to do so in pursuit of something traditional – an aesthetic revealed with the bringing together of many of the same things, this being perhaps a range of tones that I like, or a repetitive pattern.”

Laurence was born in London in 1963. He now lives and works in Hastings. He studied at Croydon College of Art and Chelsea College of Art & Design and his career spans photography, interior & lighting design, product design, graphics, painting and sculpture. His furniture design includes a spectacular ‘360 Gullwing’ spinning chaise longue. He is an accomplished model-maker and is also adept at 2D and 3D computer-aided design.

More details at www.laurencepoole.com

‘A Congress of Curiosities’

Solo exhibition by Laurence Poole

at Trinity Gallery Hastings

26th Sept – 10th Oct

8-10 Trinity Street, Hastings, TN34 1HG

01424 719923

9am – 5.30pm Mon to Fri, 10am – 4pm Sat.

Also in: Arts News