Professor Keith Wilson Research Professor in Sculpture
Fine Art
- Department of Art and Design
- Art Design and Media Research Centre
- Culture and Creativity Research Institute
Summary
My projects comprise an ongoing enquiry into the contingency of meaning specifically in relation to the public functioning of sculpture. Interested in exploring the power relations inherent in everyday human interactions, my exhibitions are often dramatised by viewers having to navigate their way around apparently authoritative pieces of highly ordered sculptural material.
By simultaneously channelling bodies and ordering abstract ideas, the works encourage interpretative resistance and imaginative re-ordering of the encounter according to the visitor’s own perversity of mind.
About
I am a practising artist with a longstanding interest in the cultural status of sculpture, and in its key properties. My sculptural practice has always been balanced with curatorial ventures extending this enquiry beyond the confines of the studio (from The Object Sculpture at Henry Moore Institute Leeds in 2002 through to co-curating Modern British Sculpture at the Royal Academy in 2011).
My projects comprise an ongoing enquiry into the contingency of meaning specifically in relation to the public functioning of sculpture. Interested in exploring the power relations inherent in everyday human interactions, exhibitions are often dramatized by having to navigate your way around apparently authoritative pieces of highly ordered sculptural material.
By simultaneously channelling bodies and ordering abstract ideas, the works encourage interpretative resistance and imaginative re-ordering of the encounter according to the visitor’s own perversity of mind.
I completed a major new commission 'Steles' ready for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, works that remain as a key part of the new Queen Elizabeth Park, and as part of 'British Art Show 7' I produced new sculptures at each venue as the exhibition toured the country.
Now living and working in Sheffield, I joined Fine Art in 2013 as a Senior Lecturer teaching across all areas, with a specialism in sculpture, and was made Professor of Sculpture in 2014. My research work continues with major new commissioned pieces opening in 2016.
Research
- 1: Sculpture Park Hill (from REF)
- 2: Calendar (from REF)
- 3: Modern British Sculpture Royal Academy London
- 4: British Art Show 7: In the Days of the Comet
- 5: Steles Queen Elizabeth Park London
- 6: Things Wellcome Collection London
WILSON, Keith (2014). Sign for Art (Stelae 2014). [Artefact]
WILSON, Keith (2011). Steles. [Show/Exhibition]
WILSON, Keith (2011). Modern British Sculpture. [Show/Exhibition]
WILSON, Keith (2010). British Art Show 7: In the Days of the Comet. [Show/Exhibition]
WILSON, Keith (2010). Things. [Show/Exhibition]
ACE are supporting Sculpture Park Hill
Publications
Artefacts
Wilson, K. (2014). Sign for Art (Stelae 2014). [Sculpture].
Exhibitions
Wilson, K. (2011). Modern British Sculpture. [Exhibition and edited book]. Royal Academy, London. http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/modernbritishsculpture/
Wilson, K. (2010). Things. Main Galleries, Wellcome Collection, London. http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/exhibitions/things/calendar-of-things.aspx
Wilson, K. (n.d.). Steles. Olympic Park, London. http://vimeo.com/38747437
Wilson, K. (2010). British Art Show 7: In the Days of the Comet. [Series of 4 sculptures + entry in exhibition catalogue]. Nottingham, London, Glasgow, Plymouth. http://www.britishartshow.co.uk/
Wilson, K. (2016). Calendar. [Exhibition of Sculpture]. MAC Belfast. https://themaclive.com/exhibition/keith-wilson-calendar
Wilson, K. (2015). Park Hill Plinths / Sculpture Park Hill. [concrete, earthwork]. Park Hill Estate, Sheffield.
Other activities
External examiner Belfast MA Fine Art