Category: Shows/Exhibitions
Celestial, Bronze, 2016 – The Picton Art Prize
I am delighted to have been chosen as the winner of The Picton Art Prize, a new public sculpture award.
Below are some photographs of Celestial, Patinated verdigris bronze, 200CM X 240CM X 125CM, 2016 which is now installed at Angel Gate Islington, London.
Photographs are by Jasper Fry.
More information about the prize can be found here.
Celestial in Press:
‘An angel rises in Islington as emerging star artist creates celestial public sculpture’. UAL News. 28 April 2016
Edward Lucie-Smith – “This young artist is a big star in the making”
‘An Actual Angel In Islington’, May 1 2016. Tabish Khan, Art Critic, Londonist.com
‘STATE/f22’ Magazine Issue 21 | Mike van Joel & Anna McNay | Currently available at Mayor Gallery Cork Street, Jonathan Ross Gallery 286 Earls Court Road & ART 16 at Kensington Olympia fair as well as numerous other galleries. Please click here to view the page.
‘Public Sculpture Unveilings: Alex J Wood And Frances Segelman Commissions Revealed’, ArtLyst, 22-05-2016
http://www.artlyst.com/articles/public-sculpture-unveilings-alex-j-wood-and-frances-segelman-commissions-revealed
Lift Off Installation Photos
Installation shots from my recent solo show “Lift Off!” at New Art Projects.
The exhibition is on now until May 14 in the Project Room at New Art Projects. For further details please click here to see my work.
LIFT OFF! at New Art Projects
Recent reviews of LIFT OFF!
ArtLyst – ‘Alex J. Wood’s First Solo Exhibition Is A Blast’ – 18.01.2016
(http://www.artlyst.com/articles/alex-j-woods-first-solo-exhibition-is-a-blast)
Organ Art – ‘Last night’s art show openings – Alex J Wood delights at New Art Projects’ – 15.01.16 (https://goo.gl/3iL8Ug)
ArtLyst – ‘Alex J Wood Explores Human Endeavour In First Solo Show’ – 06.01.16 –
(http://www.artlyst.com/articles/alex-j-wood-explores-human-endeavor-in-first-solo-show)
‘Secret Agents And Protests: February’s Most Talked About Art Exhibitions’,
The first exhibition we’ve seen at this space features Alex Wood’s sculptures based around flight. There’s some fun and surreal works as a space shuttle is weighed down by a bronze parachute and a zeppelin hangs off Big Ben. Until 19 March, free.
Londonist Rating:
★★★☆☆
Tabish Khan at the Londonist, (http://londonist.com/2016/02/february-s-most-talked-about-art-exhibitions)
‘That plane’s dustin crops where there ain’t no crops! (North by Northwest)’
‘That plane’s dustin crops where there ain’t no crops! (North by Northwest)’, Wood, wax, wire, balsa wood, lead and denta-stone, 2015
Alex J Wood: Lift Off! at New Art Projects
My forthcoming Solo Exhibition ‘Alex J Wood: Lift Off!’ at New Art Projects is opening soon, on Thursday 14 January 2016 running until 19 March 2016.
The link to the press release is available here.
“Cosmonauts Buggy”,
Watercolour on paper with ink,
2015
Postcard at FOLD Gallery
I am exhibiting a couple of drawings in Postcard at Fold Gallery (158 New Cavendish St London W1W 6YW) in conjunction with ArtBox London which benefits people with learning disabilities. For more information on the exhibition please see FAD Magazine’s article here. The opening times and Private View are as follows:
Private View: Thursday 20th August 6 – 9PM
Exhibition Open: Friday 21st to Thursday 27th August 3 – 6PM
Closing Night: Thursday 27th August 6 – 9PM
‘Art Journey’ at The Library
‘Art Journey’
Curated by THE ART PARTNERS & SECRET ART
11 – 25 JULY 2015
The Library, 112 St Martins Lane, London
Press release available here
\
‘Suspension’, Bronze, card, wire, and copper, 24W X 33H X 12D CM, 2015
‘The Red Balloon’, Paper, card, string, windmill,
wood and bronze nugget, 42W X 58H X 30D CM, 2014
‘Two Projectiles’, Patinated bronze
, 22W X 41H X 21D CM, 2014
‘Saucer’, Brass and Lead, 21CM Diameter, 2015
‘UXB’, Brass, bronze powder, cocktail sticks and denta-stone, 66H x 34W x 26D CM, 2015
‘Blimp’, Card and Papier-mâché, 2014
Photographs taken by Giorgio Baldari
Historical Futures
Photographs taken by Nick Wood of ‘Historical Futures’ at the Apricot Gallery, 16 Heneage Street, London.
PDF link to the E-Invite (With links)
Historical Futures in the press:
http://aestheticamagazine.com/historical-futures-apricot-gallery-london/
Suspension
Penguin: Little Black Classics Commission
(Of Street Piemen by Henry Mayhew)
“They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan”, Penguin Little Black Classics Commission at Foyles Charing Cross. 2015,. Photo courtesy G Baldari
The First “Rocket”
The First Rocket, Brass and Lead, 2015 Private Collection
Rocket, Brass and lead, 2015 Private Collection
The Lethaby Gallery
The Lethaby Gallery is currently showing ‘Out of this World (Bus number 9 to Aldwych)’ and Slick both of which will be on show again in early 2015. More details of this exhibition to follow.
Out of this World (Bus No 9 to Aldwych)
Springboard
Springboard at The Cookhouse, Chelsea college of arts. The private view is 11 November at 5.30pm and the exhibition runs until Friday 15 November 11-5pm.
Discovery Bronze and card, 2014
Installation view Springboard Exhibition at the Cookhouse Chelsea College of Art
‘Apollo 11’, bronze and wax. Photograph courtesy of Giorgio Baldari
Apollo 11, Bronze. Springboard Installation View
International Space Station. Photograph courtesy of Raymond Yiu
International Space Station and Discovery
DISINTER at the Crypt Euston Road
Some great photos by Giorgio Baldari of a couple of my sculptures at the show
The Dirigibile, Brass and lead, 2014. Private Collection.
Two Projectiles, Patinated bronze, 2014
‘Blimp’, Card and silvered newspaper, 2014
Detail of ‘Blimp’, Card and silvered newspaper, 2014
‘Blimp’, Card and silvered newspaper, 2014
‘The Dirigible’, Brass and lead, 2014
‘The Dirigible’, Brass and lead, 2014. Private Collection.
‘Lunar Lander’
Detail of ‘Lunar Lander’, Wax, card, bronze and brass, 2014
‘Lunar Lander’, Wax, card, bronze and brass, 2014
International Space Station, Patinated Bronze, 2014
International Space Station (Tiangong) Patinated verdigris bronze 22W X 34H X 18D CM, 2014
Apollo 11
Studio Photographs
Photographs taken by a professional London based photographer for his forthcoming book on artists and their studios.
Studio – Photographed by Nick Wood
Hidden Depths
Hidden Depths, Patinated Verdigris Bronze, 2014. Private Collection USA
Hidden Depths (Side View), Private Collection USA
‘Hidden Depths’
Patinated Bronze
2014
Private Collection, USA
Bus No. 9
Bus No. 9
Bronze International Space Station and Wax
Bus No 9
Discovery, Bronze and card
Discovery, Card & Bronze
Detail – Discovery
ArtLyst Event
I exhibited some of my new Space Series Bronzes at the launch of a new ArtLyst event at Candid Arts Trust. It was great fun and here are some of the photos from the evening. Michael Petry spoke and there was a performance by Roberto Ekholm too.
Fly Me to the Moon! – Bronze Rocket
‘Fly Me To the Moon’, Bronze, 2014 University of the Arts Collection, London
Detail of: ‘Fly Me To the Moon’, Bronze, 2014 University of the Arts Collection, London
Detail of: ‘Fly Me To the Moon’, Bronze, 2014 University of the Arts Collection, London
Detail of: ‘Fly Me To the Moon’, Bronze, 2014 University of the Arts Collection, London
“Rocket landed in Trafalgar Square”
Bronze Space Rocket lands in Trafalgar Square
Michael Petry Essay
Michael Petry, a really interesting artist and director of The Museum of Contemporary Art London has written about my work…
Alex Wood might be the unholy reincarnation of Heath Robinson, for he sets his wild imagination and crazy obsession with flight into the heaviest of artistic materials: BRONZE.
A silvered paper zeppelin crashes into a bronze tower in R101 (sadly the original British R101 crashed on its maiden flight in 1930 killing almost everyone on board), a bronze hot air balloon cannot take off and lift its wicker basket in We Have lift-off! While in a new work Fly Me to the Moon a rather wrecked 1950’s version of what a rocket should be, looks like it could never lift off either. A larger work that deal with flight or the lack of it Taking Off, looks like it came out of someone’s father-in-law’s garden shed. It is made from what appears to be found timber and bicycle wheels but also has bronze elements just to add a bit more visual and historical weight. A silver model of Concorde is stuck in a mass of bronze in Mach 2, neither the model or the original are going nowhere and his Ferris Wheel is wonderfully mad, a work his spiritual grandfather would have been proud of – ceramic drinking cups are attached to a motorized bicycle wheel and a mouse could easily topple the complex structure.
It is the heady joy of these objects that brings a smile to the face of even the dourest viewer. That so many of his works are translated into such a staid material (bronze) makes the viewer realize how considered, how constructed, how sophisticated they are. For those unfamiliar with the process, bronze casting is a labor of love and the significant word is labor. These works at first look thrown together, jokey, but on inspection we see they are much more complex and they have been hard fought struggles to come into being and that makes the smile grow even a bit wider.
Michael Petry 2014
The Red Balloon
The Red Balloon
Paper, card, copper, model windmill, string and bronze.
The Red Balloon
Space Bronzes
After returning from Beijing where I was researching new sculptures and also teaching, I started to bust my new bronzes out of the moulds… Its always super exciting seeing the results from the pour. I’ve been working on the bronzes for the last couple of weeks and this is as they are now.
Time Flies A-N Magazine Review
A review of the Tension Exhibition has just gone online, and my sculpture ‘Time Flies’ is mentioned. You can read the review on the AN website written by David Minton, at http://www.a-n.co.uk/interface/reviews/single/4243197
“In Alex Wood’s ‘Time Flies’, it has flown; absence and loss infuse the piece. A model of Big Ben lies on a shelf. From it is suspended a model (or are they toys?) Zeppelin (R34) with RAF roundels; they wait vainly in palpable silence for the child’s return. Notions of model and toy echo distinctions – tensions even – between art and non- art objects, concept and form, the possibilities of objects. “
‘Time Flies’
‘Time Flies’, at Tension Exhibition
I am showing a new sculpture Time Flies at Tension, an exhibition at the Kaleidoscope Gallery in Sevenoaks, Kent.
The work combines a scale model card kit Big Ben and a paper Zeppelin, based on the British R34 Zeppelin and a story I recently heard of the R101 flying over Fleet Street, directly above the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub.
You can read a review of the Exhibition on the AN website written by David Minton, at http://www.a-n.co.uk/interface/reviews/single/4243197
“In Alex Wood’s ‘Time Flies’, it has flown; absence and loss infuse the piece. A model of Big Ben lies on a shelf. From it is suspended a model (or are they toys?) Zeppelin (R34) with RAF roundels; they wait vainly in palpable silence for the child’s return. Notions of model and toy echo distinctions – tensions even – between art and non- art objects, concept and form, the possibilities of objects. “
Tension – PV 16 January 6-8PM
I am showing a new sculpture, that combines Big Ben and a Zeppelin in this exhibition, ‘Tension’, in Kent, at The Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Gallery, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks.
The PV is Thursday 16 January, hopefully see you there.
SITE CCW Alumni Exhibition
Photographs of the CCW SITE Alumni Exhibition
Up, Up & Away! – This is a new sculpture that I created since graduating from Chelsea that combines card and tissue paper with bronze.
The curation of the SITE CCW exhibition I thought was really interesting – with Slick in between the illustrations behind.
GIFTED Private View at Chart Gallery
Photos from last nights private view at The GIFTED Exhibition.
The show is open Wednesdays – Sunday (and by appointment) until 24 December, with late openings on Thursday nights.
Hope you can see the show.
Kinkaku Ji, Bronze
Too Slick
Pagoda Roosters, Bronze
GIFTED Private View at CHART Gallery, 62 Old Church Street
‘Mach 2′, Concorde and Bronze
GIFTED
I am showing new work in this exhibition at CHART Gallery (62 Old Church Street) from Wednesday 4 – 24 December.
The Private View is this Wednesday 6-9PM
Hopefully see you there,
Alex
Avenir Magazine Exhibition Review
I’m mentioned in this review from Avenir Magazine…
CHELSEA COLLEGE OF ART MA SHOW September 16, 2013
THE INTERTWINING OF THE REAL AND THE IMAGINARY
Chelsea College, 6 – 12 September 2013
Get ready before going to Chelsea’s MA show; bring water because you’re in for a long run. The show expands on 4 blocks, 9 floors and more space than you would expect.
The exhibition is a refreshing leap into the fictional part of Art, every detail seems to be created like an imaginary space mixing reality with fiction. Even with the obvious toilet sign placed on the door, one might still push the door with curiosity ‘is this really a toilet? Or is the artist playing tricks on us?’
The show featured a variety of talent from David Lane’s constructed cash points, fake Carphone Warehouse storefront’s plunder and satiric public monument, to Alex J Wood’s sculptures of what it appears to be transportation crashes.
Ken Malory’s life after rust of an object; bringing a beauty crafted by time and nature, alongside with Nia Lessard’s collection of fragments of lives; an organized time capsule of found objects, and Vanessa Hodgkinson’s museum of the future; focusing on being told how to think, and Zahra Jaan’s interpretation of mass consumption through her textile designs.
You feel the artists’ critic of today’s society, a wish to revolutionize it; bringing personal and intellectual influence in order to denunciate the reality of nowadays social and environmental struggles with an artistic and fictional approach.
It’s a delightful exhibition worth taking time to explore, and an interesting message and thoughts to process after it, giving a nice feeling for tomorrow’s art.
Valentine Comar
Click here to see the review at its original source:
http://avenirmagazine.com/art/chelsea-college-of-art-ma-show
We Have Lift Off!
Bronze hot air balloon, Private Collection
MA SHOW
My MA Show – Open Now. Come and check it out at Chelsea College of Art
Studio
A view of my studio with the plane in progress. I have been working on making the propellers spinning and now in the process of hiding the cable. Some visitors came and we spoke about the positioning of the plane on the rope bridge, how it will look like its crashed… Possibly.
We Have Lift Off! The Montgolfier
Since seeing the Montgolfier balloon at the Science museum and discovering that was the first flight I’ve begun to become really interested in balloons.
I’ve thought about creating a balloon in spot weld wire and stretching fabric across – but thought it would show the frame too much. Or in paper mâché similar to their original balloon. Again though it becomes a mere copy.
I’ve started though work on a bronze hot air balloon. I’ve created a mould for the top and I’m carving the shape of the balloon by hand now out of the plaster core. This will then have the wax applied too it and ultimately become bronze.
The octagonal – almost Russian Constructivist balloon I really like. It’s sharp lines accentuate its form. Here is the finished result now in a private collection in London.
We Have Lift Off!, Bronze, Private Collection
We Have Lift Off! Bronze hot air balloon, Private Collection
Taking Off! Bi-Plane
I’ve been researching the various varnishes etc for the finishing on the plane and decided on a Deep Mahogany for the wings. I also found a thick copper wire which I have used between the supports. I’m debating whether to add quirky elements to the plane.
Embarking on painting the plane is rather daunting as I want the finish of the plane to be totally perfect. I’ve begun to add brass screw eyes and I’m individually colouring the screws I’m using.
I’ve sourced a garden furniture wood stain, Country Cream to colour the back wings and the rudder but very hesitant to go ahead and colour the main wings. I’m edging the plane with Sanderson antique gold and adding gilding.
Wright Bros Bi-Plane
Focusing upon the final show I’ve begun to create a bi-plane. The amazement of flying, the recent headlines surrounding the Dreamliner, my own long flight to Japan all led to me researching ‘flight’.
I discovered interesting facts, the wright bros started with gliders then moved to powered flights. The planes were crazily dangerous with the fuel line running directly underneath the one passenger – the pilot!
I found this quote very interesting:
“They also realized that trial-and-error with different wings on full-size gliders was too costly and time-consuming. Putting aside the three-wheel bicycle, they built a six-foot wind tunnel in their shop and conducted systematic tests on miniature wings from October to December 1901. The “balances” they devised and mounted inside the tunnel to hold the wings looked crude, made of bicycle spokes and scrap metal, but were “as critical to the ultimate success of the Wright brothers as were the gliders.”
I’ve begun to create my own bi plane – it’s fairly large scale with 7 foot wings. I’ve ordered propellers and making a rudder. Bronze is going to combined into the work. It’s based upon a model airfix bi plane – Kitty Hawk.
PLANE RESEARCH AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM
I’ve been researching the early days of flying. The worlds first ever flight was in a hot sir balloon that nearly caught on fire. At the Science museum they have a whole gallery devoted to flight. The models there are really interesting and are a big influence on my work.
Down the Dori Exhibition London
Down the Dori Exhibition: Part Two. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Japan and this exhibition was great fun curating.
Below are some images from the Private View at The Cookhouse Gallery at Chelsea College of Art.
CHAIR-O-PLANES
I have been working on a chair-o-plane sculpture since seeing a massive one in Tokyo. I’m combining many materials and using motors.
Alongside it is a Tokyo tower model I have created.
Down the Dori
I am showing in The Cookhouse the first week of July with the other people who I travelled to Japan with. The preview is 2 July 5-8PM.
The exhibition is supported by a catalogue which is being produced at the moment and also a joint publication which is being printed now. I will upload both as a downloadable PDF soon.
Down The Dori Exhibition
Down The Dori exhibition
A collaborative exhibition with Cheryl Papasian.
XHIBIT Four Corners Gallery
A sculpture of mine is currently on show at Four Corners Gallery in Bethnal Green (121 Roman Road) until 13th May.
Various
In Progress stages of works, including Nodding Donkey, Water Tower, American Windmill Etc.
Also installations including Wind Farm. This exhibition also features paintings by Sean Penlington, which we both curated together.
Oil Rig, Water Tower, Nodding Donkey & paintings by Sean Penlington
Nodding Donkey by Alex Wood & paintings by Sean Penlington
Ceramic Gull and Gilded found wood
Oil Tower & Ventilator by Alex Wood & paintings by Sean Penlington
Fog Horn with ‘Ear’ Wax by Alex Wood & paintings by Sean Penlington
Fog Horn with ‘Ear’ Wax by Alex Wood
Fog Horn with ‘Ear’ Wax by Alex Wood & Paintings by Sean Penlington
Oil Tower, Bronze and Slick
Water Tower (In Progress)
CATACLYSM – The Bear Pub Friday 8 March 2013
CATACLYSM
The Bear Pub – Friday 8 March 6-8pm
296 Camberwell New Road, SE5 0RP
Buses 36, 436 and 185 from Vauxhall Bridge Road to Sacred Hearts School
Featuring: Kelly Akers, Jennifer Hawkins, Cheryl Papasian & Alex Wood
CATACLYSM, Friday 8 March 6 – 8pm
24 Hour Storm
You are invited to ’24 HOUR STORM’ a collaborative exhibition by Alex Wood
& Cheryl Papasian in the Morgue (Room CLG10).
When? Today ONLY 4-6PM
24 Hour Storm
Alex J Wood & Cheryl Papasian
24 Hour Storm
Alex J Wood & Cheryl Papasian
24 Hour Storm
Alex J Wood & Cheryl Papasian
Coningsby Gallery, London
Images of a recent show at Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham Street.
Bronze
Glazed ceramic
Alex J Wood 
