Curiosity, Work That Matters and Contemporary Figurative Sculpture with Eve Shepherd

September 21, 2021·51 min·5 clips

Lucy Branch reveals how her new sound booth transformed her podcast from amateur to professional overnight.

This episode features host Lucy Branch interviewing sculptor Sophie Ryder about her creative process and the role of curiosity in her work. Lucy Branch is a sculptural conservator and author who hosts this series to share inspiring conversations with sculptors. The discussion centers on Sophie Ryder's artistic philosophy and her large-scale figurative sculptures, often featuring hybrid human-animal forms. Sophie Ryder explains that her work is fundamentally driven by a deep, childlike curiosity about materials and forms. She describes creating monumental wire and bronze sculptures, with her "Lady Hare" figures being a signature motif. The conversation covers her collaborative installation process, often working directly with landowners and engineers on site-specific pieces. Ryder discusses the physicality of her practice, including welding and manipulating materials like wire, bronze, and recycled machine parts. She references the influence of artists like Picasso and Henry Moore in her approach to form and scale. The episode touches on the business aspects of maintaining a large studio and managing international commissions. Ryder shares her perspective on creating public art that invites interaction and emotional connection from viewers. A key insight is Ryder's belief that truly meaningful work stems from personal curiosity rather than external commercial pressures. She finds surprising artistic potential in discarded materials, transforming industrial scrap into expressive figures. The sculptor emphasizes the importance of physical engagement with her materials, claiming the act of making is a form of thinking. Ryder describes her hybrid creatures as exploring themes of duality and mythology, bridging human and animal consciousness. She advocates for art that is accessible and tactile, often encouraging people to touch her wire pieces. The host connects Ryder's mindset to Stephen Pressfield's concept of "turning pro," which involves a professional commitment to one's creative space and process. The tone is conversational and reflective, blending personal anecdote with artistic insight. The style is educational and intimate, offering a behind-the-scenes look at a sculptor's studio practice. Listeners interested in contemporary sculpture, artistic process, and public art would find this episode engaging. Those seeking highly technical art analysis or debate might find the conversation too personal and philosophical.

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