MODEL BEHAVIOUR

Frankenstein created a monster in his mad lab, which was a great inspiration to Andy Pearson. Were his artistic efforts a success? He had more chance of being struck by lightning...

A Moebius plastic model kit scene of The Bride of Frankenstein

Whilst there is certainly a variety of skill sets involved in making models of different sorts and creating three-dimensional artworks in general, it’s probably reasonable to assume that making something from just a lump of wood, stone or clay is a more demanding discipline than some. Often when I’m exhibiting sculptures, people will express the wish that they could do that. My usual response is to ask if they can draw and, if they answer in the affirmative, tell them that they probably can, as a transition of two dimensions to modelling in clay is, in my opinion, a relatively easy one to make.

In the light of that remark the following may seem to be a contradiction, but please bear with me. I’ve heard it advocated that anybody can learn to draw, given time and the right encouragement, but I honestly think that some people simply lack the mental circuitry to translate images from one form into another. A crude analogy might be made with singing. Many of us can, I suspect, vocalise a tune to some extent. I tend to sing in the shower and despite the running water largely covering the unholy din, I have experienced song thrushes dashing themselves against the bathroom window in an attempt to make me stop. I am fully aware that I don’t possess the necessary whatever to be a singer.