Pietrasanta Cultural Institute

PIETRASANTA CULTURAL INSTITUTE

How do we see?

Global Concerns, 2015
Onyx, sodalite, marble and granite
Unique works (series of 6)
Various dimensions
© Mark Humphrey

COLLABORATOR
Pietrasanta Cultural Institute

“GLOBAL CONCERNS IS A SOLO EXHIBITION BRINGING TOGETHER SIX WORKS THAT EXPLORE SOME OF THE DEFINING ISSUES AND QUESTIONS OF OUR TIME. PRESENTED THROUGH STONE SCULPTURES, EACH WORK TAKES SOMETHING RECOGNISABLE AND TRANSFORMS IT INTO A PHYSICAL EXPRESSION OF A WIDER GLOBAL CONCERN.

HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW (GRAZING PASTURES OF GOLDEN BLADES) CONFRONTS HUMAN GREED AND THE THREAT TO ENDANGERED SPECIES. ON A KNIFE EDGE EXPLORES UNCERTAINTY, VULNERABILITY AND THE FORCES THAT CAN SUDDENLY CHANGE OUR LIVES AND OUR WORLD. BLUE PLANET CONSIDERS THE FRAGILITY OF THE OCEANS AND THE CHANGING CONDITIONS OF OUR PLANET. MANNERS MAKETH MAN (THIS AIN’T MICKEY MOUSE) REFLECTS ON RESPECT, BEHAVIOUR AND THE SOCIAL RULES THAT HOLD COMMUNITIES TOGETHER. STARS OR STRIPES EXPLORES IDENTITY, DIVISION AND THE SYMBOLS THROUGH WHICH WE DEFINE OURSELVES. SECOND COMING TURNS TOWARDS FAITH, RENEWAL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF REBIRTH.

TOGETHER, THE WORKS DEMONSTRATE HOW A FAMILIAR SUBJECT CAN BECOME A VEHICLE FOR AN UNFAMILIAR QUESTION. A MARBLE RHINO BECOMES A MONUMENT TO GREED. GRANITE COLUMNS BECOME A MEASURE OF UNCERTAINTY. A BLOCK OF BLUE STONE BECOMES AN OCEAN. CHILDHOOD ONYX CHARACTERS BECOME MEMORIALS TO BEHAVIOUR. FAMILIAR SYMBOLS BECOME QUESTIONS OF IDENTITY. AN ONYX WASHBASIN BECOMES A PLACE OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL.

THE EXHIBITION DOES NOT SEEK TO PROVIDE ANSWERS. INSTEAD, IT ASKS US TO LOOK AGAIN – AT THE OBJECTS AROUND US, AT THE WORLD WE INHABIT AND AT THE ISSUES THAT SHAPE OUR LIVES.”

Mark Humphrey

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (Grazing Pastures Of Golden Blades), 2011-2013
Marble
Unique work
H170 x W400 x D150cm
© Mark Humphrey

On A Knife Edge, 2014
Basalto marble
Unique work (set of 6)
H400 x Dia600cm
© Mark Humphrey

“MARK HUMPHREY A POLYMATH FOR CREATIVITY, THAT’S WHAT WE LIKE A MAN OUT THERE GETTING ON WITH IT PUTTING SOMETHING BACK INTO THE COUNTRY, WE LOVE IT.”

Mike Read
BBC Radio Berkshire

Blue Planet, 2013-2014
Sodalite
Unique work
H180 x W200 x D190cm
© Mark Humphrey

“HUMPHREY TRAVELS THE WORLD CREATING PIECES.”

Jumeirah Magazine
Art in Focus

Manners Maketh Man (This Ain’t Mickey Mouse)
You’re Taking The Mickey! Stop Goofing Around! You Don’t Give A Duck! 2011-2013
Sodalite, onyx and marble
Unique work (set of 3)
H190 x W150 x D70cm (each)
© Mark Humphrey

“I ALWAYS SEE THE BATTEN BEING PASSED ONTO THE NEXT PERSON AND MARK HUMPHREY IS THAT: POLYMATH, ARTIST, INVENTOR, DESIGNER, I LOVE IT, I LOVE TO SEE SOMEONE ROLLING THEIR SLEEVES UP.”

Mike Read
BBC Radio Berkshire