Goldsworthy Wolseley Analysis

The three artists that we have studied, Goldsworthy, Gascoigne and Wolseley, are all contemporary environmental artists. They all have their own unique practice and all of these artists are concerned with the environment hence all of their works are environmentally friendly. Their works all challenge the viewers imagination and are aesthetically pleasing.

John Wolseley-Practice-Wolseleys interaction with Aboriginal people has helped him to increase his knowledge of the land and increase his respect for it. Wolseley often spends long periods of time working alone and camping in rural Australia.

John Wolseley was born 1938 in England and settled in Australia in 1976. his previous work as a printer gave him the knowledge of water colour and
Gascoigne collects weathered materials and then incorporates them into her sculptures.

The objects that she uses are always ones that she has found. She wanders around her local surroundings and collects junk. She has been called an artistic hunter and gatherer.Gascoigne preferred weathered and rustic materials because she believed they had essence of life. She based her selection of materials on the surface, shape and colour of the objects. She wouldnt alter the surface in anyway but would saw, split and fragment the materials for a more interesting composition. Gascoigne paid attention to the order and placement of her work; she especially liked to work in a grid format.

The use of various techniques such as repetition and tessellation is evident in her works. These techniques come from Gascoigne's previous experience in the ancient Japanese art of ikebana. Ikebana is the art of flower arranging and teaches effective repetition, shape and form. From practicing ikebana I got the vision of how to use the things I liked said Gascoigne. Colours used were often subtle and nuance, for example greys, yellows and earth colours were very popular in her
He grew up working on farms where he gained his knowledge, love and understanding for the land. Nature is his canvas and his purpose. Goldsworthy is an environmental sculptor, his work is transient and the materials he uses are ephemeral.

Goldsworthys sculptures comment on the creation, destruction and renewal process. Goldsworthy welcomes this cycle of destruction. Goldsworthys work consists of found objects, all of the materials used are natural and site specific. The materials are ephemeral and the works rely on the element of chance in the process of construction and destruction.

The only materials that he uses are compatible and none threatening to the area which the work is set. Simple construction methods are used, like pinning objects together with thorns or stitching together with vines. The materials are carefully selected so that they will be broken down by the elements of nature over