The Scottish Gallery is delighted to host Juliette Bigley and Andrea Geile in our Sculpture Garden. Continuing from her first solo show at The Galley in July 2019, New Material Perspectives, Juliette has created a site specific exhibition that will continue into the Autumn. Focusing particularly on lines and thresholds, Juliette’s work is sculptural and often comprises groups of objects. Base metals and precious metals are used to explore how we experience our emotional and physical place in the world.
‘My practice is centred on ‘making’ as the method through which I undertake these explorations. The act of making – which encompasses both modelling and constructing finished pieces in different materials – is an action-led dialogue between idea and material that bridges the divide between our internal and external worlds. I typically make hollow forms, in varying scales that mirror the body by either physically or metaphorically containing, to create one-off sculptures and installations of objects. I often work with groups of objects that can be arranged and rearranged and that communicate both through the forms themselves and through the spaces in between them. I work in a range of metals including copper, gilding metal, various brasses, nickel silver, mild steel, pewter and sterling silver. Choosing the material for each piece is an essential part of my process as each metal has a different character that affects both the fabrication of the piece and the way in which the piece communicates.’
Juliette produced her first publication, Material Perspectives, in 2018 that offers an insight into her making process. Copies are available to purchase here.
Edinburgh based artist Andrea Geile studied Visual Art in Hanover, Germany, and has held residencies in Orkney, Germany, France and Australia. She has been working from her Scottish studio since 1996 and has realised many public and private art commissions. Her outdoor sculptures are made from Corten steel, often grouped with real plants and relating directly to the site environment. They are subtle interventions, merging into the landscape and are often only visible on closer inspection. Among others she has received Awards from the RSA and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Andrea’s sculptures are hand-made from Corten steel; a weatherproof steel that forms a protective layer which stops further corrosion. They therefore have an unlimited life span and do not stain. Andrea fabricates all her sculptures herself. The patterns are first drawn onto sheet metal then hand-cut, assembled like a 3D puzzle and finally welded together. Andrea has worked on several large scale public commissions including Culzean Castle and, most recently, a sculpture commission titled ‘The Chlorophylles’ at the FANK Arts & Heritage site in Lettermore Forest on the Isle of Mull; celebrating the community effort bringing this site back to life.
Public Collections include: City of Edinburgh Council; The University of Edinburgh; NHS Tayside; City of Albany Art Collection, Australia
