New Miniature Architectural Structures Carved Into Raw Stone by Matthew Simmonds
Matthew Simmonds sculpts miniature architectural structures from raw stone. Part of his interest in producing these pieces is centered around the contrast between the carved precision of his hand against the rough nature of the natural material he chooses for each work. The pieces’ concept also deals with this human influence on raw environments, humans physically displaying their beliefs and achievements by building large physical forms.
“In my sculptures I am concerned with the common human achievement; the cultural expressions thrown up by different societies, and how the various cultural traditions interact with and influence each other,” said Simmonds in an interview with Colossal. “Stone is the thing that survives the most from older times, and has an inherent sense of strength and permanence that has given it a central role in historical architecture. It is also a natural material, and in this way it inherently has a connection with the Earth’s past.”
Simmonds work Ringrone was commissioned for a client who owns a castle in Ireland that lays in ruin. Simmonds’ sculpture depicts what he believes to be the castle’s original appearance as a “tower house” from the 15th century in which vaulted rooms would be stacked upon each other with twisting passages. The miniature form responds to this internal maze by its play with light, which he hopes “encourages this sense of exploration.”
You can see more of the Copenhagen-based artist’s work on his website.
“Tetraconch” (2015), limestone, height 31cm, all images courtesy of Matthew Simmonds
“Ringrone” (2016), Faxe limestone, height 61cm
“Ringrone” (2016), Faxe limestone, height 61cm
“Ringrone” (2016), Faxe limestone, height 61cm
“Ringrone” (2016), Faxe limestone, height 61cm
“Ringrone” (2016), Faxe limestone, height 61cm
Ringrone – material, Faxe limestone, 2016, height 61cm
“Ararat: study II” (2016), Faxe limestone, height 20cm
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