Where art meets function with architectural precision

By PUBLICITY OFFICER

American architect Frank Lloyd Wright famously said that architecture is art.

He emphasised the crucial role that architecture plays in shaping and defining a civilisation and suggests that architecture is not just a physical structure, but a representation of the collective values, beliefs, and the identity of a society.

Renowned British sculptor David Worthington, who has worked with architects, engineers, civic bodies and builders, will be addressing ArtsNational (formerly known as ADFAS) with his talk ‘Sculpture and Architecture’, kicking off a new season of illustrated arts talks in cinema one, The Crossing Theatre on March 4, 2024.

Graduating from Oxford University in 1984 with a degree in philosophy and theology and later studying fine art in London, Barcelona and New York, David is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Sculptors.

ArtsNational speaker David Worthington graduated from Oxford University in 1984 with a degree in Philosophy and Theology, and later studied fine art in London, Barcelona and New York. David is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Sculptors.

The day that David laid eyes upon a Barbara Hepworth sculpture in a school history book at the age of 10 was when he was first drawn to abstract sculpture.

Today, David creates, curates, and writes about art.

He was shortlisted for the Jerwood Sculpture Prize in 2009 and has carried out many UK and international public commissions and exhibitions with his work.

Having worked with bronze, cement and tarmac, sculptures in stone became his favoured medium.

David specialises in mobile sculptures, revolutionary kinetic stone sculptures which are balanced on bearings that can be manually rotated, encouraging interactivity from his audiences.

There is a strong historical affinity between sculptor and architect, stemming from their common origins as craftsmen in stone and wood.

They share the same artistic base – both are involved with volume and form, structure and malleable relationships. Both fields entail innovation and aesthetic expression.

Sculptures and architectural constructions demand creative vision and the research of form and materials.

David Worthington’s sculpture ‘Modular Life’.

They likewise need design elements such as balance, proportion, harmony, and rhythm.

Enhancing aesthetics and integrating sculpture into architectural design adds a new layer of visual interest and beauty, bringing a sense of dynamism and uniqueness.

From the elaboration of the Baroque movement to the geometric framework of modernism, architects have always found inspiration from stylistic approaches, techniques, and concepts of historical art movements, and translated them into stunning large-scale structures.

This arts talk will trace the relationship throughout the centuries, showing how today, in an age of advanced technology and engineering, the early constraints of architectural design have largely been lifted. In a world of computer-aided design, an understanding of sculpture is more important than ever for architecture.

ArtsNational lectures last for approximately one hour, followed by complimentary drinks and canapés in The Crossing Theatre cafe and an opportunity to chat with our guest speakers. Our international and Australian arts speakers are experts in their fields.