In my experience sculptors tend to be on the brink of catastrophe even in the good times. Maybe it’s the overheads, the foundry fees, the storage and the fact that commissions while often significant in terms of budget tend to be spaced out on the calendar. Add to that my practice as a sculptor is labour intensive, old school – making it not the ideal capitalist enterprise.
I’m fortunate to have part time employment at an Art School, steady money in uncertain times. However the other half of my earning potential – being an Artist has been gripped by the same economic inertia that has spread across the planet. Projects and commissions have been delayed, thankfully nothing cancelled yet.
Sculptures are quietly gathering dust in a once busy foundry full of noise, heat and shouting.
This loss of personal income is adding to the generalised social anxiety that pervades my thoughts as I flip between new possibilities and old dread, between radical change and hunkering down – l’m open to all offers right now.
All my current Public Art Commissions that will hopefully be reanimated soon are either half way through or nearing the end of their life as paying endeavours. Sculptures for East Lothian Community Hospital now await patination and installation, a small Public artwork for Lerwick, Shetland is being cast in bronze this week and a iron sculpture for a private client should be standing up in the Highlands by the end of August.
The Future is unwritten.
