Wells Small

Description

Wells Small began his career as an industrial designer through which he acquired an extensive awareness of processes and materials that he applies to his sculpture. His experience as a designer allowed Small to work with the glass foundry to develop the innovative method of fusing and bending glass used in Nigh Eve.

Nigh Eve's title reflects Small's interest in the fleeting nature of time, with nigh meaning near and eve meaning the night before death. As he and his work have matured, Small has become fascinated by time and has begun to depict it in his work. As one ages, managing time becomes easier, but time simultaneously begins to speed up, with days and weeks flying by at a quickening pace. One develops an awareness that it is physically impossible to accomplish everything one sets out to do, especially as the world itself becomes increasingly fast-paced.

For Small, the iridised glass used in Nigh Eve represents the dynamic vitality of youth that constantly changes and is naïve about the inflexibility of time. The iridised glass is illuminated, lively and adaptable to its surroundings. The interior metal core of Nigh Eve represents a more staid relationship to time that is solid and inflexible.

One could also consider the strong metal core of Nigh Eve to represent the efficient mind of a mature person whose productiveness is sometimes hindered by their more fragile exterior.