Conversations with the Collection

Peter Speight & Meg Salter

Collection Statement:

Sculptor Peter Speight explores complex social themes through his works of art. The use of recycled wood as the dominant medium intertwines both social and environmental concepts.

Upon first impression, these seemingly naive works appear to hold childish values due to their slightly comical appearance. However, despite this apparent ‘simplicity’ of form, Speight arouses complex issues about the human condition such as violence and hubris. Speight’s use of organic materials is also an allegorical statement about environmental and human destruction.

Meg Salter
St Francis Xavier's College
Pelicanus Australiensus (2011)
Sculpture

ARTEXPRESS Artist Statement:

A crowd of twisted things;
A twisted branch upon the beach
Eaten smooth, and polished
As if the world gave up
The secret of its skeleton.’
Rhapsody on a windy night, T S Eliot.

For my major work I have studied the form of the Australian pelican, exploring its identity and habits through observation.

Curriculum Linkages
Frames:
Both Speight and Salter use recycled timber. Found materials are commonly considered a Post Modern idea. How does the choice of found materials impact the effectiveness of the artist’s ideas and messages?

Conceptual Framework:
Descirbe why both artists work would be catergorised as naive? How does this statergy work to express their concepts and show the essence of their subjects?

Practice:
List the process you believe each sculptor went through to create their work. Finish the list by describing the differences between the finishes of each artist work. Discuss these choices.

Download ARTEXPRESS 2012 Conversation with the Collections.