“The ability to capture movement in any form of art has always interested me and this has been a strong influence in many of the sculptures I create. The challenge is not just to suggest the action of an animal or figure in motion but also to give them a sense of purpose, to try and understand how it feels to be there.”
Melanie Deegan
Melanie is a professional sculptor based in Somerset and frequently uses wire as a way of capturing form, drawing the shape in the air before developing the sculpture further.
Most sculptures begin with a wire or steel armature, this is essentially the drawing process and allows the proportions, position and bone structure to be determined. Onto this the layers are built up almost as if adding muscles and soft tissue to the piece. These layers consist of resins or plasters and other materials, they will vary as the sculpture develops to achieve different effects. This part of the procedure is not entirely precise and adds an interesting dimension to the creative process.
Background
A free-range childhood in Buckinghamshire and then Somerset created an interest in animals, particularly horses, that has stayed with Melanie throughout adult life and now plays a key part in the sculptures she creates.
Experimenting with different materials and techniques Melanie has developed a method of working that lends itself to the creation of dynamic physical designs. Using wire and steel to draw the image in 3D this sketch is then developed to add the texture and detail that will evolve into a finished sculpture. Often resulting in energetic and fragmented forms Melanie uses space to invite the viewer to engage, using their imagination to fill the void.
Based in the South West Melanie’s work is exhibited regularly in England, Ireland and occasionally further afield.