NPA Lab | 2022
Sarah Wills-Brown + Paul Wakelam
Sarah Wills-Brown is an Oxford based artist producing sculptures and wall based abstract works. From her interactions with monumental and concrete buildings, she explores the formation and behaviour of shadows cast within these architectural environments. With their ephemerality echoing our own transitory existence, she is interested in the metaphorical narratives they can evoke within the individual.
Paul Wakelam’s career began in architecture and he recently commenced a Fine Art MA concurrently with his work as an architect. His artwork is in contrast to the precision of architectural drawing being based around the use of charcoal & graphite, collage and printmaking. Wakelam’s practice currently explores his connection with landscapes; this is an evolving method of exploring himself and his response to unstructured natural spaces.
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Sarah Wills-Brown
‘Mechanical Cross Section 1’ (2022)
Digital drawing on aluminium dibond (90 x 60cm)
This is a current project based on the Barbican Centre, exploring the capacity of materiality and colour to re-imagine our urban environments. Digital drawings, paintings and sculptures will create a playful reinterpretation of the site's unique atmosphere. I asked Bob and Paul specific questions about my work based on Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. Their feedback has helped inform my plans for scale and possible ideas for curation.
Sarah Wills-Brown
‘Mechanical Cross Section 2’ (2022)
Digital drawing on aluminium dibond (90 x 60cm)
This is a current project based on the Barbican Centre, exploring the capacity of materiality and colour to re-imagine our urban environments. Digital drawings, paintings and sculptures will create a playful reinterpretation of the site's unique atmosphere. I asked Bob and Paul specific questions about my work based on Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. Their feedback has helped inform my plans for scale and possible ideas for curation.
Sarah Wills-Brown
‘Mechanical Cross Section 1’ (2022)
Mock-up for a large projected wall based installation
This is a current project based on the Barbican Centre, exploring the capacity of materiality and colour to re-imagine our urban environments. Digital drawings, paintings and sculptures will create a playful reinterpretation of the site's unique atmosphere. I asked Bob and Paul specific questions about my work based on Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. Their feedback has helped inform my plans for scale and possible ideas for curation.
Sarah Wills-Brown
‘Mechanical Cross Section 2’ (2022)
Mock-up for a large projected wall based installation
This is a current project based on the Barbican Centre, exploring the capacity of materiality and colour to re-imagine our urban environments. Digital drawings, paintings and sculptures will create a playful reinterpretation of the site's unique atmosphere. I asked Bob and Paul specific questions about my work based on Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. Their feedback has helped inform my plans for scale and possible ideas for curation.
Sarah Wills-Brown
‘A Machine For Living.1a’ (2022)
Maquette, recycled card, spray paint and polychromos pencil (40 x 22 x 30cm)
This is a current project based on the Barbican Centre, exploring the capacity of materiality and colour to re-imagine our urban environments. Digital drawings, paintings and sculptures will create a playful reinterpretation of the site's unique atmosphere. I asked Bob and Paul specific questions about my work based on Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. Their feedback has helped inform my plans for scale and possible ideas for curation.
Sarah Wills-Brown
‘A Machine For Living.1a’ ’ (2022)
Maquette on concrete base (40 x 22 x 30cm)
This is a current project based on the Barbican Centre, exploring the capacity of materiality and colour to re-imagine our urban environments. Digital drawings, paintings and sculptures will create a playful reinterpretation of the site's unique atmosphere. I asked Bob and Paul specific questions about my work based on Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process. Their feedback has helped inform my plans for scale and possible ideas for curation.
Reflections on peer to peer mentoring
Sarah Wills-Brown
Being a part of the NPA Lab project has been a positive and nurturing experience. With Bob and Paul, our almost weekly sessions have been relaxed as we have shared anecdotes or book choices, listened and offered support when needed, discussed life beyond the studio, presented our current work and given and received feedback. But most importantly we have also built trust. I have found the support system that peer to peer mentoring offers is generous, both creatively and emotionally and is one which every artist needs and should actively seek.