The third iteration of the Chelsea Barracks Sculpture Trail has arrived. Curated by Marshall Murray the public art walk and free outdoor exhibition showcase works by world-class female artists, including Jill Berelowitz, Anna Gillespie, Louise Plant and Zeus Li. The Sculpture Trail welcomes the public to explore art amongst the architecture and public grounds, embracing the heritage, creativity and community of Chelsea Barracks.
To promote and create equality within the art world we must recognise the female artists who have paved the way and represent the future of the industry. Chelsea Barracks champions and celebrates the work of female creatives, providing a platform in a central London public space to showcase their work. This installation will raise awareness on the challenges faced by women in the contemporary art world and encourage discussion around representation, collaboration and inspirations. Female artists have often struggled to have their work recognised in the male dominated field of sculpture. Of the $196.6 billion spent at art auctions between 2008 and 2019, work produced by women accounted for only $4 billion, or around 2% of the total sales. (Source: Forbes) What unites these artists showcased in the trail is their empowerment in exploring the human form and how this representation has changed over time and its relationship within the context, society and environment. Females represented in sculptures have often been figureheads or sexualised forms, so it is important for authentic representations to be visible and championed. The selected artists have all carved their place in contemporary sculpture, creating ambiguous, challenging and creative forms.
https://www.chelseabarracks.com/journal/events/sculpture-trail-spring-2023-women-art
GUNNERA LEAVES (Polished Bronze)
Visitors entering Chelsea Barracks from the Chelsea Bridge Road entrance will be greeted by the sculpture Gunnera Leaves within the water feature, by Jill Berelowitz; whose work featured in Phase I of the Sculpture Trail. Berelowitz was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and has become one of London's most innovative sculptors, known for her bronze, steel and optical resin works. The themes of rebirth, growth and progression are core to Jill’s art, fitting for the Spring launch of this Sculpture Trail.
TIMEPIECE (bronze)
Jill Berelowtiz’s pieces within the trail explore natural shapes and perceptions of femininity; Gunnera Leaves is a bold, vibrant display of nature coming together and Timepiece, positioned in Bourne Walk, explores the beauty of the female form, Berelowitz’s belief that this only gets better with age both empowers and inspires and is a contemporary take on a classic art motif. There is a subtlety to the form that means it almost blends in with the backdrop, emerging gradually as one approaches and encouraging visitors to closely take in their surroundings on the trail.
PERSEPHONE (bronze)
Persephone by Jill Berelowitz takes pride of place in the culinary garden of Mulberry Square standing tall amongst the greenery. Persephone is a recreation of a pomegranate tree in full bronze, this contemporary reworking of the Greek myth celebrates her as the eternal Goddess of Spring.
GAIA (bronze)
Another of Berelowitz’s pieces inspired by Greek mythology is Gaia, which visitors will come across when walking from Mulberry to Whistler Square. The Goddess of Earth in art is presented as the mother and nurturer of all life and Berelowitz has given us a modern retelling through her abstracted female bronze torso that shows women to be both flawed and perfect.
GOLDEN GIRL (bronze)
The contemporary take on female nude figures in Golden Girl showcases women as confident and multifaceted, challenging perceptions of being sensual or gilded objects. Golden Girl is a brand new piece of work by Jill Berelowitz and is being launched at the Chelsea Barracks sculpture trail.
“Marshall Murray is thrilled to curate the third edition of the Chelsea Barracks Sculpture Trail, showcasing some truly incredible contemporary female artists. Alongside Chelsea Barracks we recognise the importance of championing and celebrating female creatives. It has been genuinely inspiring that the development is engaged and keen to use their space to provide a platform for both hugely successful, established sculptors and the next generation of emerging female artists.” Oliver Hawkins, Director at Marshall Murray
The photos were arranged for Marshall Murray by Jack Hobhouse.