Lucas Guilbert: Exploring the Relationship between Wood and Place
Lucas Guilbert is an emerging sculptor based in Melbourne, Australia. His multicultural background deeply influenced his artistic practice and philosophy, and his passion for sculpture is rooted in his love for nature and human culture. Guilbert uses wood as his primary medium and draws inspiration from the organic shapes found in nature. His fascination with wood has driven him to explore all ecological regions of the continent in search of exceptional pieces of timber.
Guilbert's woodcarving technique allows him to explore the relationship between wood and place, and he uses the sculptural process as a means of introspective, meditative self-exploration. He employs a range of techniques, such as burning, charring, brushing, distressing, oiling, buffing, bleaching, ageing, dyeing, and quenching to achieve the desired effect on the material. The natural beauty of wood enhances the organic forms of his sculptures, and he often includes raw steel or brass, resulting in genuinely singular pieces.
Guilbert's sculptures aim to evoke profound contemplation and resonate with his audience. His goal is for his sculptural forms to be larger than life and to offer an awakening of an ancestral and mythical response in an urbanized context. He seeks to challenge our relationship to the wild by reinstating the unapologetic elements of natural beauty in a hyper-modern world. His works seek to encourage a discourse between the ecological and the man-made, between the natural, external sphere, and the human, inner sphere.
Guilbert's unique approach to sculpture, informed by his personal experiences and appreciation for nature, is earning him recognition within the art world. His sculptures have been exhibited in galleries, shows, and outdoor installations, and he has been commissioned to create site-specific sculptures for private art collections. Guilbert has also participated in several art residencies, gaining valuable experience and exposure.
Guilbert continues to evolve his practice with a keen eye towards the future. His current artistic vision involves creating larger, site-specific public artworks, as well as finely crafted small and medium objects appropriate for local and international exhibitions. He currently operates a gallery and workshop in the Docklands, near Melbourne's CBD, and his works are exhibited around the country.
As Guilbert works away with his tools, the trees he uses reveal an archaeology of sorts, with years of archived photons, captured carbon, and countless external events - an exquisite balance of growth and decay. His sculptures encourage viewers to contemplate the natural world and their relationship to it. Through his work, Guilbert seeks to promote a greater appreciation for the beauty of nature and inspire others to consider their impact on the environment.
In conclusion, Lucas Guilbert's unique approach to sculpture, informed by his personal experiences and appreciation for nature, has earned him recognition within the art world. His sculptures aim to evoke profound contemplation and resonate with his audience, and he uses the sculptural process as a means of introspective, meditative self-exploration. Guilbert's sculptures encourage viewers to contemplate the natural world and their relationship to it. Through his work, Guilbert seeks to promote a greater appreciation for the beauty of nature and inspire others to consider their impact on the environment.
