top of page
Writer's pictureBella Bee

Alex Calder and the Onion beds


Visiting Bruton in Somerset, which has at gallery Hauser & Wirth on it's outskirts, I arranged to meet artist and friend, Caroline Morriss.

The sculptures were really quite striking, strong colours and forms against the stark white of the gallery, they remained static with just the tiniest of movement as people walked round.

Me behind one of the Alan Calder static structures

Credited with inventing the mobile as a kinetic piece of art, Alex Calder created work which was considered avant guard and modern when made in the 1950's but his work on show went back to the 1930's.

Even some of the planting in the gallery's garden looked a little like the exhibition.

They put me in mind of Theo Janssen's magnificent Strandbeests, which I understand have caught the attention of NASA looking to use machines using little or no fuel on other planets.

Some of Calder's work was kinetic, some was static, all was beautiful and bold. However, we didn't go just to see the exhibition. It was to catch up and do a little sketching. We chose to cross the road to the allotments which were all beautifully kept.

Cartoline was drawn to some onion beds and after quickly outlining some artichokes, I joined her.

Caroline by the onions.

Sometimes it's the simple things which give most pleasure.

2 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page