Leverhulme Trust Artist in Residence: Victoria Ferrand Scott.

My first contact with Civil Engineering at Leeds University came about as a result of an article on the University website entitled ‘Cementing the future’ in which Dr Philip Purnell was calling for researchers, engineers... or even sculptors to join NACNet a cross-sector EPSRC funded network researching novel applications for cement-type materials.

As a sculptor interested in fluid materials I had recently started investigating concrete having recognised the limitations of plaster (standard colour and surface, limited window of workability). My exploration thus far had been amateurish and intuitive but one of my first pieces entitled ‘Analogous Yielding’ was selected to be shown in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition of 2009, an encouraging sign having been selected out of some 12,000 entries. I duly met up with NACNet members and we formulated a plan for extending my research through some sort of collaboration with experts in the field.

The Leverhulme Trust funding has facilitated our collaboration. It is intended to bring artists into research and study environments where creative art is not part of the normal curriculum or activities of the host department. Their aim is to support the residency and foster creative collaboration between the artist and the staff and students of the institution. This is the first time that the School of Civil Engineering has hosted an artist in residence. The year-long partnership runs from 2010-2011.

Our proposal was for an exploration of the creative potential of concrete combining the artistic vision of the sculptor with the scientific knowledge of the civil engineer, utilising the School’s specialist facilities. Research into unusual aggregates, additives to promote fluidity combined with the use of unorthodox flexible moulds enabling an investigation of form, surface and colour in order to exploit the versatility and tactility of concrete as a sculptural material.

Short link for this page:
http://tinyurl.com/vfscott-AIR