Victoria Rance was born in Streatley, Berkshire, in 1959. She studied at North Oxfordshire Technical College (1978-79) and in the department of fine art at Newcastle University (1979-83). Upon leaving university, Victoria Rance spent a year sculpting in Mexico, first in Tepoztlan and then in Erongaricuaro. The experience of working within another culture was enriching in many ways. She found…
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Victoria Rance was born in Streatley, Berkshire, in 1959. She studied at North Oxfordshire Technical College (1978-79) and in the department of fine art at Newcastle University (1979-83).
Upon leaving university, Victoria Rance spent a year sculpting in Mexico, first in Tepoztlan and then in Erongaricuaro. The experience of working within another culture was enriching in many ways. She found that not only were the churches in a predominantly Catholic country full of elaborate carvings which she enjoyed, but there were other layers within the culture to be explored - Aztec and Mayan Art in particular. Rance also discovered that there was a particular harmony between the people and her art, and being allowed such close participation has left a lasting impression. Upon her return to Britain, Rance worked at studios in Rottingdean before moving to London and then to Greenwich, near to Apt Studios in Deptford, where she works today.
In her sculpture Victoria Rance has always been a fabricator rather than a modeler or carver, although she has on occasions worked with clay and with plaster. Her works evolve slowly, but her current practice has returned to ideas pursued as a student; particularly using the human figure as the centre or inhabitant of the artwork, with the sculpture conceived as a protective skin. Rance has a love of Gabo and the constructivists and, whilst not emulating their work, her acknowledgement may be seen in subtleties of making, in tone and in form. It is the spirituality in her work which leads Rance to look back to historical examples for inspiration - not to works of art, but to objects found in museums and in churches.
Victoria Rance has exhibited her work regularly in group shows in Britain and internationally, with her most recent solo exhibition in 2010. She was the winner of the 2003/4 Mark Tanner Award for Sculpture. She also works to commission.
