Jerome Ayad
Sydney Grammar School
DEEP DOWN
Sculpture
Charcoal, metal
In my representations of an angler fish and squid/octopus, I include the defining features of each animal and leave the rest to the viewer’s imagination, mirroring the idea that the deep ocean can only be imagined by most people. My fascination with the ocean, fishing and sea life led me down this path. I found the mediums of metal and charcoal most effective, and used welding to create solid single-piece forms, representing the smooth and streamlined surfaces of the creatures. By heat treating the metal I was able to attain an iridescent effect to express the colour-changing qualities of the squid.
Marker's Commentary
This Body of Work, inspired by the captivating spirit of the ocean, is comprised of two elegant metal sculptures and an exquisite realist charcoal drawing featuring a fishing rod hung with beautifully crafted small metal fish lures and line. Together they become the basis of this contemporary still life. The rod and each hanging lure with its shadow has been carefully composed in the drawing so as to create a melodic rhythm that defies their deadly purpose. Each object, has been skilfully rendered to capture absolute realism; featured through the wide tonal range and control, delicate highlights and crisp shadows. By contrast, the lyrical steel sculptures of the underwater organisms dance and weave, their tentacles and bony structure playing with space. Sinuous line is employed in crafting these imaginative, enigmatic and exquisitely crafted prehistoric forms with colour and surface texture replicating living forms.
