Join us ‘in conversation’ with Alison Wilding OBE and A Level art students from Hardenhuish School and St Mary's Calne in Wiltshire, discussing topics including the artist’s use of conflicting materials; connections to myth and ancient artefacts in her work; the influence of artists such as Rachel Whiteread and Barbara Hepworth; and the sustaining power of the creative process.

‘Wilding was born in Blackburn, Lancashire. She studied at Ravensbourne College of Art and, from 1970 to 1973, at the Royal College of Art in London. Her sculpture is closely concerned with the physical qualities of materials. She uses traditional as well as contemporary sculptural processes, such as modelling, carving, casting and constructing to explore the contrasts and relationships between materials. 

Her sculptures often consist of two separate elements, which suggest opposites such as positive-negative, male-female, light-dark. She uses a wide range of materials, including copper, wood, beeswax, lead, galvanised steel, transparent plastics, silk, fossils, rubber and paints; these enable her to establish unusual juxtapositions of form, colour and surface. She was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1988 and 1992. 

Wilding's work can be found in major collections nationally and internationally, including Arts Council of Great Britain, British Council, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia, Musée de Beaux Arts, Calais, France, and Scottish National Gallery.’ (Source: New Art Centre website)

The Roche Court Educational Trust works with over 6,000 children, young people and specialist groups annually, at both the Sculpture Park and elsewhere. We encourage an exploration of modern and contemporary art through our specialist looking, thinking & speaking approach.

As an independent charity, we rely on donations to deliver our program. For further details of how to support our work, please visit our website at: https://rochecourteducationaltrust.co.uk/support-us/ 

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To find out more about Alison Wilding, follow this link: https://www.karstenschubert.com/artists/26-alison-wilding/

Thanks to: Dan Coggins and Zach James for co-producing this episode. Thanks also to the New Art Centre and finally, Alison Wilding, for generously giving her time. 

This podcast has been generously funded by RSA Catalyst Award and The Arts Society Wessex.

Photo credit: Alison Wilding, Shrubs 1, 2019