British Bermudian artist Charlie Godet Thomas is commissioned to create his first work in public space for SCULPTURE AT.
Entitled Cloud Study, Godet Thomas’ sculpture, which will be unveiled in Bermondsey Square on 2 October 2017, uses the form of a weather vane to represent states of emotional well-being. A speech bubble sits atop a two-metre high vane, which turns in the wind revealing the phrase ‘- yo’ is stuck in thar fo’ever li’l gray cloud.!’ that has been laser cut into the steel shape so as to be visible from both sides.
The line comes from the widely syndicated American cartoon ‘Li’l Abner’ created by Al Cap that ran between 1934 – 1977. In the comic strip, one of its characters, Joe Btfsplk, entombs the cloud that bedevils him in a cave, sealing it with a boulder. Similar to the myth of the ostrich burying its head in the sand, the protection this offers is, of course, illusory.
A playfully metaphorical work that embraces the personal and political, Cloud Study invites the viewer to meditate on the tragi-comic nature of life, with the movement of the vane mirroring these oscillations as it twists and turns in the wind.
Says Charlie Godet Thomas: ‘In Cloud Study, I hope to evade what I see as the traditional hallmarks of public sculpture: for an imposing quality to be substituted by quietness, heroism by the everyday, stillness by function, sternness by humour, and vulnerability in the place of grandstanding.’
Says Director of VITRINE and SCULPTURE AT Alys Williams: ‘SCULPTURE AT was founded with the aim of creating an experimental platform for artists to make work in the public realm; a platform to include artists without previous public sculpture experience. I am therefore delighted to invite Charlie Godet Thomas to take this opportunity – at a very exciting moment for his practice – to see his first public commission come into fruition.’
Generously funded by Arts Council England and the National Lottery.
With further support from Team London Bridge, Contemporary Arts Society, and Pangaea Sculptors’ Centre.
Media Partner: Aesthetica
