FOUNDRY FELLOW #1
Rose Leyshon
Rose Leyshon is a French figurative sculptor whose work revolves around people. Her recent works use codes of working class men and women, using branded objects or gendered animals, and depict portraits of relatable people. Her sculptures usually use a twist of humour to hide a deeper social aspect. They often are inspired from elements of her life. In 2021, she made a sculpture of her mother called “Mum” from a 80’s photograph of her as a bodybuilder. The sculpture was painted bright yellow as this is her mother’s most hated colour. It describes an abused working class adolescent who found comfort in bodybuilding as a way to fight her surrounding environment. It also talks about relationships between mother and daughter. Through her work, Rose wants to break the boundaries of conceptually inaccessible contemporary art and offer empathetic art for everyone.
“This fellowship would give me the opportunity to produce my first bronze sculpture, to learn about and use the tools & materials at the foundry.”
Proposed Work
“Chick’s Got Drive” has something of a self portrait. It’s a chick with a power tool, a woman with drive. The sculpture uses obvious elements of the working class. The contrast between the Bantam chicken and the Makita branded impact driver creates an unexpected combination of functionalities. One is designed for work whilst the other one is bred for show. The gendered elements arranged in a fluid composition create an amusing and inspirational portrait of a woman with power. “Chick’s got Drive" is the first sculpture of a new series exploring feminism in a playful manner.
