"Plunging off the back of the ship, I was now immediately immersed in a mesmeric undersea landscape. Each day three places would be chosen and this was the last dive of the last day before the monsoons closed in." This multidimensional wall sculpture by Birmingham-based artist Stephen Farley is an abstract take on the breath-taking Great Barrier Reef. Made using layers upon layers of resin, this tactile artwork appears as though it is mushrooming from its surface, and is a visual reflection of Farley’s fluid, intuitive approach to making art.
- Media: mixed media resin
- Dimensions: 132 x 74 x 4cm
- Price: £5200.00
Inspired by his first trip to Australia, 'Offshore Rapport' by Stephen Farley is an abstract depiction of the coral reef, made with resin. A muted palette signals a reef in danger - it was only when Farley viewed the reef for himself that he realised the severity of its condition, and that it was at great risk of dying out. Many of Farley's works invite the viewer to apply their own meaning, but in this case, 'Offshore Rapport' is an artwork that was made to commemorate the reef, and to draw attention to the issue. The use of oxy-resin and plastic materials is vital in highlighting this issue through irony, and reminds us of how interwoven these synthetic materials are within our everyday lives. The reef is one of the wonders of the world - Farley employs his practice as a way of making this dying ecosystem something permanent and tangible, before it's gone forever. 'Offshore Rapport' is made up of Farley's signature spurt motif. Spurts are a metaphor for liquid impact, used by Farley in layers to create tactile compositions which often appear to be multiplying and mushrooming from their surface. Inspired by Farley’s interest in marine and microbiology, these spurts take form in a range of materials from steel to resin, and are used to create both figurative and abstract works of art. Farley's resin sculptures absorb and hold onto information like sponges; they act as a travel log of his experiences. “The time is ticking on this precious, very fragile part of life” As discussed in an interview with The Digest, Farley’s works are often only awarded their meaning post-production. Many of Farley’s other works linked to the Great Barrier Reef were made prior to his interest in the subject, and it was only when a viewer drew the visual parallel that Farley began to research the topic himself. This fluid and versatile way of working gives Farley’s works an air of spontaneity, which is ironic given that resin is one of the least spontaneous materials to work with. As aforementioned, this irony is also prominent in Farley's choice of highly synthetic materials as a way of imitating these organic forms. Works such as 'Offshore Rapport' have a distinctive tactility to them; the textures and light refractions of the resin draw us in – they’re almost impossible not to touch. These forms can appear like glass at times, giving them a certain fragility, which is an interesting conflict when considering the durability of resin. These countless contradictions within Farley's oeuvre are what make his works so engaging and distinctive - any piece from his collection would be a valuable addition to any contemporary art collection, business space, or home.
Working and living in Birmingham, Stephen Farley is a 3D artist who works with a range of materials, most notably resin. Farley's oeuvre is multifaceted and tactile - whether a wall piece or a stand-alone sculpture - they're almost impossible not to touch, and demand to be seen in the flesh. This physical aspect of Farley's work offers new ways of experiencing art through touch, leading to many collaborations with BlindArt, a charity that supports those with sight restrictions. Stephen Farley is a versatile, exciting, and innovative artist - whether a wall piece or a free-standing sculpture, any piece from his collection would make a worthwhile investment, and a valuable asset to any contemporary art collection, gallery space, or home.
Other images of Offshore Rapport by Stephen Farley ARBSA