Momentary Flow is Oliver Cook’s second solo presentation with The Scottish Gallery, following his debut Form & Light in 2021. We came across his work online during the lockdown in 2020, and were delighted when he responded to an invitation to send us a couple of examples. Inevitably, we were drawn to his sensual work. In advance of Oliver’s exhibition, we visited his studio in March to discuss the exhibition and see how work was evolving. Watch our Studio Insights film below to learn more about his work and practice…
Momentary Flow encompasses an interplay between three areas of my practice: light, movement and most recently texture. Previously my work has focused on the interplay between the translucent properties of alabaster and the action of movement.
Movement is the central theme that is present in each piece, from pieces balanced, appearing almost on the verge of falling, to ripples and waves mimicking the flow of water or patterns made by the erosion from the surface of a rock face.
I keep notebooks everywhere to work out different shapes. Once I’ve got an idea of what I want to make, I’ll mark it out on a block of stone, and then cut it down using an angle grinder. When I’ve got the rough form, I’ll shape it using a combination of hammers, chisels, rasps, files, sandpaper and wet polishers.
Oliver was featured in the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Crafts magazine, which is out now! This issue titled Making connections celebrates how craft can bring us together.
You can register to become a member of Crafts here.
Oliver Cook also features in a short film created by The Modern House and Toast in 2022…
