Nicola Godden

NICOLA GODDEN

I have never worked from drawing I cannot plan what I do - if I did it would kill spontaneity Nicola Godden’s sculpture often begins life in found natural objects, such as bone, flint or coral.

Using wire to recreate the movement and flow of the raw material, she literally cements the idea in plaster or clay to cast later in bronze.

Her skilled patinations cause the metal to appear cool or warm. Involving herself in every part of the casting process is extremely important to this artist who chooses bronze for its rich history and timeless quality.

Godden transforms the bronze into the precious hues of malachite, opal or jadeher finished patinations are the work of alchemy.

The iconic ‘Icarus’ series could be made of wax and feathers, stretching out their wings in an effort to cross the sea, or tumbling headfirst into the crashing waves. Hay Hill Gallery’s front window housed the stunning Icarus II, a life-size golden sculpture, before it was sold

Icarus II Bronze, edition of 12 180 x 200 x 90 m

Vol D’Etincelle I Bronze, edition of 9 78 x 35.5 x 53 cm

Vol D’Etincelle II Bronze, edition of 9 92 x 48.5 x 35 cm

Icarus III Bronze, slate base, edition of 25 55 x 35 x 18 cm

Icarus IV Bronze, slate base, edition of 25 58 x 33 x 14.5 cm

Icarus VII (Falling) Bronze, edition of 9 65 x 32 x 20 cm

Icarus VI Bronze, slate base, edition of 25 54 x 34 x 23 cm

Icarus Rising Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 85 x 59 cm

Godden’s ‘Eve’ torsos are mesmerising, graceful lines that rest somewhere between the figurative and abstraction. First inspired by a pebble that resembled the female body, the artist has taken her accidental discovery to an extreme, replicating the natural form first in clay and then casting it in bronze.

Eve III Bronze, edition of 9 73 x 32 x 25 cm

Eve I Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 24 x 7 x 5 cm

Eve IV Bronze, edition of 9 73 x 30 x 24 cm

Torso De Femme Bronze, edition of 9 39 x 18 x 14 cm

Torso Torsade Bronze, edition of 9 35 x 14 x 14.5

Coast Bird TownBird Bird Town Town 110 x 160 110 x 170110 cmx 170 170 cm cm Oil canvas Mixed media Oil on onon linen canvas

Smaller pieces for writing desks or bookshelves can be found soaring or landing in various corners of the gallery, patinated in verdigris or shades of amber.

Bone Form I Bronze slate base, edition of 9 height 36 cm

Bone Form II Bronze, edition of 6 127 x 52 x 45 cm

Couple II Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 34 x 13 x 8 cm

Eclat De Pierre Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 49 x 12 x 15 cm

Arche Ossulaire Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 64 x 20 x 15 cm

DĂŠchires Bronze, slate base, edition of 9 42 x 15 x 10 cm

Femme IV Bronze, edition of 9 8 x 35 x 15 cm

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