Nature and Culture: The Cass Sculpture Foundation

by Phoebe Warren

The Cass Sculpture Foundation independently commissions original works from up-and-coming artists as well as established ones. Created by Wilfred and Jeannette Cass in 1992, the Foundation stretches over 26 acres of land holding an evolving display of 80 monumental sculptures. 

Upon viewing the collection at Goodwood, I enjoyed seeing Eve Rothchild’s work, which explores the meeting of culture and nature (see image above). The piece engages the viewer with its unique industrial aluminium construction mixed with overarching angles and geometry. This allows the viewer to connect with the piece, with our perception changing each time we move, and the harsh material creates further contrast within the meeting of human and sculpture.  

Viktor Timofeev’s work (see images above and below) also captured my attention. He uses geometry of an ‘X’ shape in his sculpture to contrast with the naturalistic environment of the woods. The theme of contrasts continues within the piece, since the interior is covered with a polished mirror steal, oxymoronic of the rusting steal exterior. The two elements balance each other to give a sense of harmony and completion upon viewing the piece.

  

 ‘Host’ by Peter Burke (see below) at first perception seemed to give a less imposing effect in terms of vast scale than the other pieces, yet the 40 figures presented had a rare, rustic feel and created a sinister effect upon viewing. The figures were made from reclaimed secondary raw materials, such as copper domestic water tanks. This created a unique element in each figure, and expressed their human-likeness of being individual despite originating from a mass-production line.