Green Rise (1983)

Alison Wilding

slate and copper

Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney

Classification:

Sculpture

Materials:

Slate, Copper

Dimensions:

58.5 x 10 x 28 cm

Accession Number:

177.1985

Credit:

Presented by the Contemporary Art Society, 1986

Scheme:

Historic Purchase by Purchaser (1914-2008)

Ownership history:

Purchased from the Anthony Reynolds Gallery by Muriel Wilson (1933-2018) for the Contemporary Art Society, September 1983; presented to Art Gallery of New South Wales (NSW), Sydney, 1986

Relationship:

Muriel Wilson Anthony Reynolds Gallery, London Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney

This work is typical of Wilding’s exploration of the nature of surface and balance, employing traditional sculptural materials such as wood and metal. Often two or more of these materials are used in one work to provide contrasts of texture, weight, light and hue. Their natural states are altered to achieve a sense of uniformity. 'Green rise' explores the concept of visual balance. Speaking on the sculpture Wilding has said: “Making it was like making sense of shadow rather than making sense of the thing casting the shadow”. Wilding regards these small wall pieces as “a quick way of getting things out” and in some respects they are like maquettes or details of larger pieces. The artist attempts to express the pleasure and the anguish associated with particular surfaces. In the savage and tender cutting, carving and smoothing of each element, she explores the potential energy and richness of materials.

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