Artist Statement
Sean Campbell
sentinel
/sentin’l/
• noun a soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.
• verb (sentinelled, sentinelling; US sentineled, sentineling)
station a sentinel to keep watch over.
Acting as a sentinel without prejudice in the modern era to issues of political, social, cultural and environmental significance. The sentinels will both observe and be observed.
The creative process for each piece is long. Each layer builds on the one before, with time and space to respond before adding the next. It is the extension of this process that I present to the viewer. An abstracted form created by manipulating the dimensions of colour, texture and volume. Pushing the physical and conceptual boundaries of the media. Providing a metaphor for the self and allowing a subtle moment of freedom and the chance to look afresh.
The Sentinels sit at the core of my work as an artist. The sculptures are physically based on standing stones and grave stones. Metaphorical representation of a geological, human and individual time span. Stone has metamorphosed into glass, the age of silicone chips and solar panels, information piled upon information. Yet a skin is forming around the Sentinels. Protection? Enhancement? Futility? Now perhaps more than ever in times of fundamental change we require a positive catalyst for growth. A solid foundation to allow fresh creative ideas to bubble to the surface in an increasingly complex and challenging world. The Sentinels observe without comment. Shared vulnerabilities, fears and concerns but also strengths, hopes and ideas.
Artist Short Biog
Sean Campbell received an M.A. from the University of Ulster and trained in Visual Art in Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and the United States. In 2011 Campbell won the Robinson McIlwaine Architects original vision prize at the RUA 130th Annual Exhibition for Sentinel (Belfast, lego) and the Sculpture in Context Award for Sentinel (Botanic) in 2007. In 2010 Campbell was selected as finalist for the third time in the international competition E-merge in Portland, Oregan, USA. He was Artist in residence at Northlands Creative Glass in 2009. His work is held in public and private collections in New Zealand, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark and the U.K. Major public artworks include “Between the known and the Unknown” N 15 By Pass, a Joint Public art Commission with Elizabeth Caffrey. “Arc” Integrated Public Art, Bayview Resource Centre, Bangor and “Passage of Time” Ballymena Museum and Civic Centre. Recent exhibitions include the UK Glass Biennale (2008) Remarkable Glass, London(2010), New Living Art, Irish Museum of Contemporary Art, Dublin(2010) and RUA 130th Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, N.Ireland. (2011).
sentinel
/sentin’l/
• noun a soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.
• verb (sentinelled, sentinelling; US sentineled, sentineling)
station a sentinel to keep watch over.
Acting as a sentinel without prejudice in the modern era to issues of political, social, cultural and environmental significance. The sentinels will both observe and be observed.
The creative process for each piece is long. Each layer builds on the one before, with time and space to respond before adding the next. It is the extension of this process that I present to the viewer. An abstracted form created by manipulating the dimensions of colour, texture and volume. Pushing the physical and conceptual boundaries of the media. Providing a metaphor for the self and allowing a subtle moment of freedom and the chance to look afresh.
The Sentinels sit at the core of my work as an artist. The sculptures are physically based on standing stones and grave stones. Metaphorical representation of a geological, human and individual time span. Stone has metamorphosed into glass, the age of silicone chips and solar panels, information piled upon information. Yet a skin is forming around the Sentinels. Protection? Enhancement? Futility? Now perhaps more than ever in times of fundamental change we require a positive catalyst for growth. A solid foundation to allow fresh creative ideas to bubble to the surface in an increasingly complex and challenging world. The Sentinels observe without comment. Shared vulnerabilities, fears and concerns but also strengths, hopes and ideas.
Artist Short Biog
Sean Campbell received an M.A. from the University of Ulster and trained in Visual Art in Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and the United States. In 2011 Campbell won the Robinson McIlwaine Architects original vision prize at the RUA 130th Annual Exhibition for Sentinel (Belfast, lego) and the Sculpture in Context Award for Sentinel (Botanic) in 2007. In 2010 Campbell was selected as finalist for the third time in the international competition E-merge in Portland, Oregan, USA. He was Artist in residence at Northlands Creative Glass in 2009. His work is held in public and private collections in New Zealand, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark and the U.K. Major public artworks include “Between the known and the Unknown” N 15 By Pass, a Joint Public art Commission with Elizabeth Caffrey. “Arc” Integrated Public Art, Bayview Resource Centre, Bangor and “Passage of Time” Ballymena Museum and Civic Centre. Recent exhibitions include the UK Glass Biennale (2008) Remarkable Glass, London(2010), New Living Art, Irish Museum of Contemporary Art, Dublin(2010) and RUA 130th Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, N.Ireland. (2011).