These two souls are my contribution to this week’s photo challenge. What could be more local than a relationship?
The artist, Simon Jago, is also a professional set designer with a mastery of the most essential tool in a sculptor’s toolbox – space. The sculpture seems to tell a slightly different story from every angle. It would have been interesting to walk all around it, but the setting didn’t invite that. Luckily the artist is showing the opposite view on his website.
The wall that divides these two figures is slender but sturdy – part physical, part metaphorical. He has placed a steadying foot on the blue floor/plinth that is structurally linked to hers. Their body language mirrors each other: the barrier of his left side reflects the barrier of her right; each downcast head obliquely angled in counterpoise to the other.
It’s funny how tempting it is to judge, even faced with a sculpture. There’s a lesson in that. Who is to blame? What should they do? Is there even a problem? As the artist asks, why do they look so alone?
I, for one, am not going to speculate (my sweetheart, who often says this to me as proof he is a scientist, will be proud). What I’ll do instead is quote REM’s World Leader Pretend, a song about a battle within:
This is my mistake, let me make it good.
I raised the wall
And I will be the one to knock it down.
Links and more information
The figures were modelled in wax, cast in lead and placed on corten steel. If you’d like to find out more about the artist, visit his website: www.jagosculpture.co.uk.
The sculpture was part of the annual Art In The Garden exhibition at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. Sculptors might like to check out the garden’s website as they are currently inviting submissions for their 2017 event.
For any who think I’m stretching the brief too far and should have shown a place, not a relationship, here’s an earlier post of my home town Darwen in the snow.
Susan Rushton 
I needed a little art in my life today!
Thanks
And a little rem
Yeah!
Super creative take for local and jago is talented.
The vibe I got from the work was more of chilling and relaxed – maybe down time on a fishing pier – but enjoyed reading the thoughts about it and the wall etc
I love the way everyone sees things differently. I would never have thought of a fishing pier, though you’ve reminded me of dangling my legs from a jetty on the coast while eating a very large Cornish pasty a few months ago. You’re right that people tend to be very reflective in those surroundings.
Yes – and at times when we are together for a hundred hours in a row – there is a contented quiet – hm
Well thx for the reply-
And his work reminds me of Giacometti
The REM quote is perfect for the sculpture. I like how it can be viewed differently from various angles. It make one think and make up their own changing story.
We always see something through the lens of our own experience. The first comment from Prior made me smile with surprise, because that interpretation was one I really hadn’t expected, but afterwards I could see that an angler might think of fishing.
I think in a piece like this there is what we see and what we want to see. A nice tension, I think.
Good point – tension creates energy and helps bring the piece to life. We feel as if there’s a backstory we can only guess at.
A great interpretation… nice how you think outside the box!
This just came to mind, perhaps because when I saw the sculpture in real life, I felt strong connection between the figures. After all, local isn’t just a place – as you know more than most – it’s the community.