An exciting exhibition opens to the public on Sunday (October 5) at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery.
It is the first major sculpture exhibition to be held at the museum. Called 'Celtic Transmogrification', the work is by well-known locally based sculptor, David Petersen.
The work in this particular exhibition was initially conceived when the artist saw an exhibition in Venice in 1991 entitled 'The Celts'; on that occasion the entire space of one gallery was designed to display one object - a gold votive model of a benched and oared sailing boat, part of the Broighter Hoard dating from the 1st century BC. This work deeply influenced Petersen and it remains one of the most beautiful and inspiring things he has ever seen.
One of the characteristics of the Celtic people was, and still is, their love of ambiguity, demonstrated particularly by their art.
'The Amroth Curragh' displayed in this exhibition is one of Petersen's attempts to pay homage to the craft-makers of the 'Broighter Hoard' and to add his own layer of ambiguity to the whole concept.
He has changed the material from ancient gold to a comparatively modern iron, with some very modern steel, but he has kept to the blacksmithing traditions of rivetting, but again, with some very modern tig welding. By allowing the whole piece to rust, Petersen has come some way to approximately 'gold' as a finish.
The scale too is important. The original boat was well equipped as is the sculpture. By choosing half-inch plate, the heaviness of its appearance points to the delicacy and finesse of the original. The sculpture model was shaped with a sledgehammer! The shape and texture also refer to the original closely.
The choice of Amroth as the place associated with Petersen's sculpture is that it lies equidistant between Tenby and St. Clears, where he has his studios. For some time the artist had seen bits of scrap iron being 'shaped' by seasons of tides pounding onto the rocks at Amroth and this seemed a most 'natural' piece of metal.
The other main sculpture in this exhibition comprises a 'fleet' (in many senses of the word) of sails, slipping through the sea. The various characteristics of metal are purposely ambiguous and the illusive imagery lets the viewer choose many aspects.
These two exhibits are supported by drawings made for greater clarity whilst making them and other recent projects.
The exhibition's private view will be opened tomorrow (Saturday) by Kenneth Griffith.
The artist will give a public talk on his work on Wednesday, October 15 at 2.30 pm. Admission is free, but booking in advance is advised.
'Celtic Transmogrification' continues until Sunday, October 26. The Museum is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.