FLUXEUROPA: STEVEN FOXLEY: WORK, LIFE AND INFLUENCES

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STEVEN FOXLEY - WORK, LIFE AND INFLUENCES

The sculptures are almost entirely in wood, but sometimes have added metallic elements (clockwork, wiring, etc). Wood is an extremely polyvalent material. Each wood has its own characteristics, from the heavy density of ebony and other 'exotics' to the fine suppleness of lime and other 'native' woods.

Being not very apt at drawing, I rarely make plans for a sculpture. I tend to work direct into the wood. The ideas usually surface after the initial 'attack'. The pieces often represent elements of a somewhat mythological/esoterical nature (e.g. The Horned God, Icarus, Yggdrasil). I see these as metaphors to explain hidden aspects of mankind. Almost all of the sculptures are heavily detailed (Aeon, HGmkII:RISE), containing several elements dotted around the 'central' theme.

I started to sculpt in 1994 for no particular reason - I had no 'burning desire' to become an artist. It was just something to do. I began shaping driftwood with a pocket knife. After a time, I became more and more interested in sculpture. The problem of tools and the lack of finances inevitably arose. I decided to make some basic tools, sharpening up old screwdrivers to use as chisels.

I noticed that the more I sculpted, the more my usual erratic mind became focused and thus, calmer. I began to attain a state of mind that I had hitherto looked for by the use of certain chemicals. Of course, these 'chemtrips' served only to disillusion my already bleak existence.

Through the act of 'Sculpture' something broke through the canvas of lethargy, and I surfaced from that 'non-life'. Each sculpture is just a set of coordinates upon the map of existence. I'm sure that this is true of everyone who creates/transforms.

I have no real idea of what category my work falls into, and quite honestly, I don't really care.

My influences are mainly found in music. The works of David Tibet (Current 93), more than any other, have had a profound effect upon my life and work.

'When all beauty is given up, neither sorrow nor fear exist.'

(Current 93: 'Imperium II', from the album Imperium, Durtro 008CD).

This really seems to sum it up in a nutshell.

Other Influences include Rodin, William Blake, Nurse With Wound, W S Burroughs, Sol Invictus, Koestler, Hesse, Death In June, Huxley, SPK, New Model Army, Throbbing Gristle, and Coil to name but a few.

STEVEN FOXLEY - 13 December 1999