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LONDON ART BLOCK

 

WATCH THE ART FILM TO FIND OUT MORE 

Meet William Darrell the artist behind these mind-bending kinetic sculptures, and hear from Co-curator Helen Pheby, head of Curational Programming at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

MEET OUR CURRENT ART BLOCK ARTIST, WILLIAM DARRELL

To celebrate the launch of the fifth artist to exhibit at The Selfridges Art Block, we caught up with William Darrell to find out more about his mind-bending kinetic sculptures crafted from recycled plastic. 
Tell us about your journey to becoming a sculptor…

I was a quiet kid, happiest in a carpet full of LEGO; despite getting older and finding new tools, not much has changed. My greatest achievement at art school was to gain confidence and conviction – making artwork is exactly what I want to do. 

 

What are the main themes within your work? 

Biology, evolution, and the law of physics. 

 

Why did you want to explore the fusion of dormancy and new growth in this piece? 

I wanted to make a work that merged perennial plant life in its dormant state with our experience in lockdown – the life out of sight. The sculptures are symbolic of humans resurfacing from lockdown – vastly malformed from what we have endured, but weird, wonderful, and capable of new, amazing things. 



I wanted to make a work that merged perennial plant life in its dormant state with our experience in lockdown – the life out of sight.

William Darrell
How did you make the sculptures? 

When learning to 3-D print, I got hooked on the software programme Tinkercad. Because it’s aimed at children, it’s slightly limited, but it’s allowed me to find the shape of my brush stroke and compose sculptures that feel like an extension of my imagination. I printed each piece on six 3-D printers, with five of them stacked in the corner of my bedroom and one in a cupboard under the stairs. 


How are you feeling about having a large-scale work on display at Selfridges London? 

Overjoyed, overwhelmed, stressed and grateful. I’m so thrilled to have my work seen by so many people. All those unwitting passers-by will have my devices infiltrate their minds.

‘Restless Bulbs and Rotting Goodness’ by William Darrell (2021) 

In collaboration with Yorkshire Sculpture Park 

Here, William Darrell puts into words some of his thoughts and inspirations behind the pieces.

‘RESTLESS BULBS AND ROTTING GOODNESS’ 

Words by William Darrell  

 

Grounded in place, peering out at what we can. The Earth pulses with emerging vegetation, our windows become our personal wildlife documentaries. Blossom explodes along branches and bulbs shoot leaves and flowers, all with seemingly more vigour than we have while stuck in our homes. Our dormant bodies will have to be patient longer but there is only so long that screens can distract us from our natural need for real life. So, we nurture optimistic plans for our emergence. All the while nature envelopes previously unwelcome territory, an accidental healing process brought on by our absence. Now the time is near… or is it… yes, it is… maybe… as excitement builds, we can barely be contained. Hairs raised, eyes out on stalks, tasting the air. 

 

Discover William’s moving sculptures in the Accessories Hall on G at Selfridges London. 

 

 

DISCOVER OUR LEGACY IN THE ARTS

Take a tour around our past Art Block exhibitions, exciting commissions and events from our archive – no velvet rope in sight.

Find out more

DISCOVER OUR LEGACY IN THE ARTS

Take a tour around our past Art Block exhibitions, exciting commissions and events from our archive – no velvet rope in sight.

Find out more