Patsy Hickman

Artist’s Statement

I have been looking for some time to broaden my work from Traditional, which is in my case, figurative clay to bronze. I have worked in wire and metal too, mostly out of admiration for the work of Alexander Calder. - And practiced pottery in several different clays with Anna Silverton.   

For nigh on ten years I have relied on Ben Swift as my tutor and come to trust his guidance, so when I heard of a series of online courses for the exploration of sculpture during these months of lockdown, my only concern was, am I technically adept enough?  

And then I saw with relief that Ben was taking the class and I knew my shortcomings would not be a problem. There is no adequate metaphor that describes Ben’s patience, to say nothing of his limitless imagination and technical know-how and the extent of his quiet encouragement.   

The first lesson introduced sellotape sculpture on a mobile. I made three sellotape moulds of kitchen utensils on a mobile, weighted on the other side by a favourite little drawing tied with some pencils heigh presto : “Work-Life Balance”! I then created an adventure story with found objects, mostly of wood but some of flint. The discovery of flint took me to the collection of painted flints as in my images. I am now in the process of making small wooden puppets from bark pieces shed by an old sycamore tree near us, on thin copper rods. Not sure whether to use oil paint or scald with a burner, or even water colour.... so totally engrossing and so exciting.  

 

Confusion

With reference to Dictators, ​Peter Rabbit ​and all rabbits generally.

First image of Peter surprised by Mr McGregor in the vegetable garden whilst in search of lettuces.

Questions​:

Do I paint McGregor? Or leave him in bark?   ​

I am using the blue jacket as Spielberg did the red coat  in ‘Schindler’s List’.   I think there is potential for a political theme here as I intend to add further rabbits.  ​

Here are four further rabbits on the left glued onto copper rods with super glue.

On the right are two more rabbits in the making.

My idea is to have a forest of rabbits with Peter being lit up by his blue jacket. Will he be a dissident to a totalitarian leader ….?​

Adding a few rabbits I must lower their rods so they are more vulnerable and shade them, so they contrast better.

Here the Facist leader is bestriding his people – note the tiny baby rabbit at his feet. Peter stands apart – will he be a David and Goliath hero? Or will the Leader catch hold of him to imprison and murder?

Flint Art