Newly opened at London’s Sladmore Gallery is an exhibition of exquisite semi-precious stone carvings by internationally renowned contemporary British sculptor, Nic Fiddian-Green.
Nic Fiddian-Green: Sculpted in Stone presents a new body of work carved from jade, lapis lazuli, malachite, chrysoprase chalcedony and Carrara marble which explores the artist’s on-going fascination with the equine motif.
Although the motif may be familiar – Nic’s monumental horse heads can be seen around the world – the scale of this new work is altogether different. Through their material and form, these treasure-like carvings are wonderfully intimate. Small yet nonetheless profound, they have a timeless presence in their contemporary environment.
A chance encounter in 1982 with the Horse of Selene at the British Museum first introduced the artist to the potential of stone carving and forty years on, this exhibition reunites this early inspiration with Nic’s longstanding passion for the equine subject.
Created over the past two years in his studio in the hills south west of London, Nic has focused and chiselled to a level of perfection to reveal a form that has obsessed him repeatedly. Nic’s sculpture continues the very long line of artists inspired by the horse. From ancient history through to da Vinci’s sketches, the sculpture of Degas, the paintings of Constable and Stubbs, to the work of recent luminaries, like Marini, Frink and Flanagan, the horse has been venerated by artists.
Nic Fiddian-Green: Sculpted in Stone is a new chapter, revealing how the artist continues to develop his practice. The work is jewel-like and the exhibition radiant.
Until 24 June 2022.
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Image: Nic Fiddian-Green: Sculpted in Stone at Sladmore Gallery