News — bird sculpture

2024 is a very exciting year for Utopia.

Not only are we celebrating 10 years of utopian living but we also plan to expand this year to bigger, more central premises in the town. 

Mick's retirement from making lighting means that we now have more room for art. So 2024 sees the start of our new venture. Each month we will have a guest artist who has been specially selected to exhibit at Utopia. I'm choosing artists that each have a clear narrative, make beautiful work and have a philosophy which dovetails into our own. Expect stunning sculpture and work that you can connect with.  Each artist will have something different to offer and not everyone will like them all, but that's the beauty of art. The exhibitions will last around 4 weeks. We hope that you are as excited about this new dimension to Utopia as we are.

We start the programme on 25 March - here are the first two artists we're showing, so do make a note in your diary. All the work is for immediate sale as always, which we know is very popular with you. And all the artists accept commissions, but note each piece is unique.

Best wishes,

Jac

We are delighted to welcome David Cooke and Mick Kirkby-Geddes to our unexpected fold of exceptional artists.

Fur & Feathers

The Extraordinary Ceramics of David Cooke

25 March - 24 April 2024

Prize winning nationally renowned wildlife sculptor, David Cooke, has been studying animals all his life. He draws from his childhood in East Anglia and his current home in Yorkshire, to create sculptures that are as individual as the subjects he studies. Whilst always experimenting with new materials and techniques, Cooke particularly enjoys the challenge of ceramics and bronze.

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Animal Crackers

The Playful Sculpture of Mick Kirkby-Geddes

5 May - 1 June

Mick Kirkby-Geddes's metal sculpture is incredible. From his workshop in the Yorkshire Pennines he transforms the old into something new with a fresh engaging dynamic. Curiosity and a healthy dose of 1970’s kids tv and comics informs his often humorous pieces and brings them to life.

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Captivated

When Michael and I first saw Cindy Lee Wright's sculptures at the Cley Wildlife Centre we were mesmerised by the linear drawing quality of the pieces. It was as if she had drawn them in the air, creating animals and birds with a sensitivity not often found in this style of work. It was easy to imagine a visual dialogue with my drawings - a counter play of materials yet a meaningful conversation. The marks of ink contrasting dynamically with the pierced steel.

Materials Matter

The laser cut sculptures are clearly defined making identification of the subject a joy. Whilst the careful selection of wooden mounts and bases enhance the subject in a considered manner. Cindy also selects the finish of the steel, polished, rusted or flamed, to add another layer of interest. 

Locations

The sculptures can be situated inside or out making endless exciting possibilities for locations. Against a sunlit wall the shadows of the sculptures echo the graphic. Placed amidst a garden the plants form a natural backdrop but also a moving infill. Inside, the skeletal forms can create complicated windows through which to peer. When lit the tracery forms a ghostly doppelgänger to admire.

Big Wild Sky

Norfolk is a place of big skies and beautiful wildlife. Norfolk artist, Cindy Lee Wright, writes about her passion for the local wildlife as a constant inspiration. 

"I am so lucky to live on a marsh bordering the Norfolk Broads with so much wildlife for inspiration; the barn owls, the nesting herons, the cries of passing curlews. I hope these steel pieces help to bring a sense of the beauty of the wild that we are privileged to live alongside in this county." Cindy Lee Wright

We are honoured to have Cindy as a guest artist throughout November and look forward to creating a stunning exhibition of her wonderful work.