Martin Staniforth (Morth)

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Artist’s Statement

My curiosity focuses on the theme of emergence, progression and the circle of life, drawing influences from the natural world. I learnt to distil strong narratives when working at Saatchi & Saatchi and this has helped me to develop 3D forms that make meaningful connections.

‘Achilles’ has been inspired by classical traditions from ancient Greece. The bronze torso shows strength and vitality yet deep fissures hint at interior vulnerability, echoing the story of the weakness in Achilles’ heel. The 4-metre high ‘Hope & Renewal’ is sculpted from 500 year-old timbers, burnt in the Royal Clarence Hotel fire. The charred wood rises again, like a phoenix. It won the top prize at the TRAIL outdoor exhibition in 2018. ‘Asteria’ captures the beauty of twisting bodies as they are held in the air – falling from grace or swooping for the stars? 

These set the scene for ‘Scension’, due to be displayed in Exeter Cathedral in summer 2021. Floating in the arches, we’ll see gracefully-shrouded figures accompanied by a soundscape that I have commissioned. The sculptures will be deliberately ambiguous. Are they rising or falling? Living or dying?

I was elected as Chair of the South West Sculptors in 2019.
Visits
By arrangement
Address
The Old Rectory Studio, 
Awliscombe,
Devon,
EX14 3PJ