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Wishbone, a patinated bronze sculpture by the British artist Vivienne Foley

About the Item

'Wishbone' is a limited-edition (3 + 2AP) bronze sculpture on a limestone base by the British artist Vivienne Foley. The first piece has sold from the edition but there are two pieces available. Vivienne Foley’s bronze sculptures are a recent development of her best-known works in porcelain, a medium she has worked in for over 50 years. By moving between porcelain and bronze she introduces the contrasting nature of her materials and challenges our perceptions of both. Foley's decision to bring the work forward into a completely different medium was brave to say the least. Instead of choosing the conventional path to finish works with a glaze firing, she left her workshop where she is used to working solo, to collaborate with a professional bronze casting team - a huge leap of faith. The challenge of seeing her original works in metal, was indeed transformative. For Vivienne Foley, working with the Bronze Age art foundry in London’s Limehouse Basin has been an education and a pleasure. In her own words: "As a professional potter I have been producing thrown porcelains for over fifty years and so logic would dictate that I have ‘seen it all, done it all’ by now, but on the contrary, I still continue to be challenged. I have never been afraid to push my materials to the limit, to accept failures and to follow trails, but I am always excited when basic techniques and familiar methods result in something new and with working also with bronze, the two materials complement each other as they are such opposites. I am not influenced by any particular thing – rather, I am interested in everything; always looking for quality and workmanship. I love all aspects of the design world from architecture to textiles. Museums, galleries and exhibitions are my addiction, with photography and the natural world a constant inspiration” The dimensions shown are the for the actual piece, not the base.
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