‘Sculptural Drawings’ is an online exhibition created by Wandsworth based artist Izabel Wocial. Below Izabel introduces her work and the themes she has explored as part of the RCA Mentoring programme for emerging artists in Wandsworth.   

During the RCA Mentoring Programme, I have been exploring an ongoing body of work created for “AFTER HOURS”,  a physical exhibition in a former department store in Southside, Wandsworth. This exhibition was paused due to the second lockdown. 

Over the past month, I have used the time and space that RCA Mentoring has provided to develop my work as a new moving image and to visually map the space and continue to explore the potential of sculptural drawing on a digital platform. 

The video and installation shots I created can be seen below along with a short interview led by my RCA mentor Matthew Dowell, highlighting key elements of my practice. 

 

Matthew: Drawing both sculptural and non-sculptural features heavily this work, can you explain what you mean by sculptural drawing and how does this feed into your practice? 

Izabel: I define my practice as sculptural drawing, my site responsive work explores the architectural space through the process of expanded drawing. Defining my practice as sculptural drawing was inspired by Rosalind Krauss’s (1979) essay “Sculpture in the Expanded field.” In this essay, Krauss states that postmodernism has altered the definition of sculpture, to become significantly broader and harder to define. I demonstrate and explore the concept of the expanded field across my practice through evolving from two to three-dimensional drawing, questioning the boundaries of what drawing is, by using materials, line, space, form and process. 

 

Matthew: How do you source your materials? And why is this important?

Izabel: My work is site responsive so the materials I use are usually either in the space already or typically found in that environment. For example, during lockdown I produced an installation in my bathroom using a range of bathroom objects including mirrors, towel racks etc. This installation is in an empty former department store, the materials I’ve selected are associated with refurbishment and building work. Where possible I aim to use existing or scrap material, otherwise I’ve gone to building merchants. 

 

Matthew: There is a sense of tension within your work, is this intentional? If so why?

Izabel: Yes, because the essence of my practice is exploring the tensions, instability and balance between the relationships and interrelationship between the materials themselves and the materials and the space. 

When the materials are used as intended for example the PVC Ducting tube are used to help with ventilation extraction and the tarpaulin provides protection. When the materials are used as the manufacture intended it’s to achieve stability safety and function. In this installation, I have taken the materials out of their functional environment, manipulated them through colour, shape and relationship to create tension and trepidation within the work. 

 

Matthew: What has changed in your practice when you’re having to think about it for a digital platform? Both the positives and challenges.

Izabel: Having to explore my practice digitally, I have experimented more with different layouts and different environments in which my work could be installed in without being in the physical environment to do it, by super imposing objects and drawings into the space. 

The main challenge working on a digital platform with sculptural drawings and installations is that it’s hard to capture the scale, depth and texture of the work, and you have to consider a different audience experience that will be via the screen and therefore more passive than a gallery visitor who has the opportunity to walk around the installation and have a true sense of depth perspective and scale. There is also the challenge of learning new software and optimising the potential of the technology. Challenges are an opportunity to gain knew skills and knowledge to test out your creativity. 

 

 

About Izabel Wocial 

Izabel is a Furzedown based artist who grew up in Wandsworth. Her artwork focuses on the tensions and interrelationships between human society and urban space. Izabel aims to communicate this through the use of objects and their relationships in order to highlight how space influences human behaviour and life experiences.

Izabel defines her practice as sculptural drawing – her site responsive work explores the architectural space through the process of expanded drawing.

Izabel explores the concept of expanded drawing across her practice through evolving from two to three-dimensional drawing, questioning the boundaries of drawing using materials, line, space, form and process.

Explore more of Izabel’s work and get in touch with her on instagram @wocial_art.

RCA Mentoring 2020 

This exhibition is presented as part of the Royal College of Art’s Mentoring scheme for emerging artists based in Wandsworth.  You can also view the exhibition ‘The Same River‘ presented by artist duo and RCA Mentoring participants WHABBstudio.

Click here to watch the interviews with the artists participating in the 2020 programme as mentors and mentees.

Get in touch if you have any questions or ideas regarding the RCA’s community engagement by emailing [email protected].