NEW YORK, NY.- Sculptor Christopher Stone presented his exhibition "Sensorial Realities" at
Agora Gallery in New York and then travelled to West Cornwall in Connecticut to presents his sculptures at
Lady Audreys Gallery. The first exhibition at Agora Gallery New York was a great success, over 100 people attended in the three hours of the opening show.
After this, Christopher Stone said, "I will be following up with a new range of Figurative bronze sculptures in 2010, I can let you know that there will be 6 different pieces which will be from 50 to 60 cm tall following lines and planes in which reflect styles of Alberto Giacometti, Barry Flanagan, and of course a lot of myself. Editions of these will be on display at galleries in Sussex, England, Nice,France, Dublin, Eire, and Lady Audreys in Connecticut."
Christopher Stone is first and foremost a stone and marble carver, although he has worked in most mediums. All the pieces in this collection are from either white marble from "Macael" Almeria southern Spain, or Antique "Travertino Marble" from Italy. These pieces are very loosely "Feelings, Thoughts, Dreams etc.", which he had before or during their construction. They are direct, or free carved, he made no sketches, or clay models. The feeling ran from the artist through the cutting tool, and into the stone, they become a 3D representation of a moment from his life.
The stone is left natural, he does not fill the holes, or highly polish the surface, Christopher prefers the stones naturalness to remain keeping the spontaneity going. He is, through his work trying to portray his sentiments, using the stone as a vehicle to transport this from himself to the viewer. Christopher Stone said, I once read that a child was heard to say whilst he was drawing, and I quote- First I think, Then I draw my think". This applies to me exactly.
Christopher Stone has been inspired by some strong personalities he has had the pleasure to come across over the years, one is his friend and mentor Barry Flanagan, who pushed him head first down the arts road, the second is the French sculptor Henri Gaudier, the third is of course his wife Cristina, who puts up with me, and is the source of it all.
The artist continues saying, I believe that todays unsettled economic climate can become the toe hold for the study and dedication. Now is the time for artists to push harder to find thier niche, to claim it, and to maintain it.
Artist's Statement
"To be born, a sculpture needs love and dedication right to the end..... direct or free carving is for me the closest one can get to original concept.... cutting direct into the stone has no alternatives..... I try to create a feeling, a wish, or a dream - not a sequence of similar items, not a style, but a complete random exercise in creativity..... my style is that I don't have a style. Look at the piece, love it or hate it, but dont try to understand it... I create because I must create. My task as a carver is to make the things I see in my mind.....there is no difference between my original idea and the 3D work in stone. I do not carve what I see, I carve what I have in my heart, the beauties of appearance must not smother the beauties of thought...all my pieces are unique, more because I cannot do the same thing twice with the same energy of the original." ~Christopher Stone
Christopher Stone was born in London in 1955. After obtaining his City and Guilds certificate in Cabinet Making he began two years full time work experience with artist designer Ralph Hampton in Shaftesbury, Dorset, England. He learned Antique restoration at the De Seidner galleries in London, England. He participated as an Artist/Designer in the Worlds Trade Fair in Seville, Spain in 1992 for the both the British and Spanish pavilions. His interests led him to make prolonged visits to Luxor, Assuan, and Cairo to study Egyptology and also to the Czech Republic to study Eastern European art.
He has exhibited at Furniture Design exhibitions in Le Mans, France, and John Bell & Croyden in London. He has also shown in Seville, Spain and Salisbury, Wiltshire, Ibiza, Spain, where he currently lives and works, Mannheim, Germany and Amsterdam, Holland.
Mr. Stone is represented in Ireland by the Gormleys Fine Art (Dublin, Omagh and Belfast), in Belgium by The Doorbell Gallery (Antwerp), in the UK by The Forge Gallery (Walburton, Arundel and Sussex) and in the US by Lady Audrey's Gallery (West Cornwall, CT). His show "Sensorial Realities" runs from October 2 through October 23, 2009 at the Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York City.