Designer Desire: Andy Goldsworthy

Mosaic of works by Andy Goldsworthy

Andy Goldsworthy OBE is probably my favourite public artist. I’ve never actually seen any of his artworks in real life, but I have a few of his books including Wood and Stone.

His work is hugely varied; from delicate, ephemeral pieces created from autumnal leaves or blocks of ice, to robust dry stone walls and sculptures that will survive for centuries. He uses all manner of natural materials; clay, flowers, bark, grass, sand, icicles and twigs amongst many others.

He explains his work much better than I ever could:

Each work grows, stays, decays – integral parts of a cycle which the photograph shows at its height, marking the moment when the work is most alive. There is an intensity about a work at its peak that I hope is expressed in the image. Process and decay are implicit.

Andy Goldsworthy, 2006

When I finish the ephemeral work it decays, whereas the moment the permanent projects are finished is the moment they begin…

Andy Goldsworthy, 2018

Have a look at the trailer below for the 2018 documentary film, entitled Leaning Into the Wind. It gives a tiny insight into his methods and ethos.

Portrait of Andy Goldsworthy ©Stewart Attwoodcredit

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