Tous Mag

Manchester based Vic Wright, a contemporary hand cast sculptor, talks with Tous Mag about her processes, exploration and techniques! | “The more l experiment and learn how to work and manipulate materials the more l hone my craft. More often than not it’s the failures that have the most pleasing outcomes and ultimately what l learn the most from.” | Read the full interview, below!

Tous Mag: Could you describe your sculptures and the messaging behind them?

Vic Wright: Typically my work takes the form of casts. Using a base of fine casting cement different materials such as metal powders and pigments are added. When drying this results in different textures, colours and surfaces. I have an explorative approach to my work and want to capture the differences between contrasting elements, to create a visual language between materials. My work evokes the natural world, only amplified, distorted and moulded to give new context. There are so many artists that inspire me in different ways. Joseph Beuys, Rachel Whiteread, Louise Bourgeois, Eva Hesse and Barbara Hepworth are to name but a few.

Tous Mag: Can you pinpoint the start of your sculpture journey?

Vic Wright: From a young age I’ve always known that my interests lay in art of some sort. I studied Fine Art at University which is where my passion for sculpture began. My work is very materials based and focuses around experimentation. The more l experiment and learn how to work and manipulate materials the more l hone my craft. More often than not it’s the failures that have the most pleasing outcomes and ultimately what l learn the most from.

Tous Mag: Are there any distinguishing motifs that are repeated across your collections?

Vic Wright: In my work l hand grind pieces using metal files and glass paper. This results in smooth faceted sides. After this initial process many of them go on to have gilded inlays using various karats of gold leaf.

Tous Mag: Do the materials you use determine the finished colour palettes?

Vic Wright: Mostly the colour palettes dictate themselves. The material combinations determine the outcomes, sometimes with a little nudge from me. For example if l add ground iron in a wet mix before casting l know it’s going to take the form of rust afterwards but l can’t be sure of where on the piece or how densely rust will appear. Currently l am experimenting with pigments, which gives me more control of the colour outcome and l’m enjoying my colour palette expanding.

Tous Mag: Where is your studio based and what is its most redeeming quality?

Vic Wright: My studio is based at my home, which is South Manchester. One of my favourite aspects of my studio is having it at home. I have a young daughter and having a home studio means l can be the most efficient l can to get the most out of my working day.

Tous Mag: Do you have anything playing in the background for company in your studio?

Vic Wright: I’m a huge fan of podcasts and spend most of my working day listening to them. Particular favourites of mine are ‘Table Manners’ with Jesse and Lenny Ware, ‘The Adam Buxton podcast’, “Desert Island discs’, and ‘Talk Art’ with Russell Tovey and Robert Diament.

Tous Mag: What’s it like being a creative in Manchester?

Vic Wright: I moved to Manchester three years ago, and in that time I feel there is a real sense of creative encouragement here in the city. I’ve found that the artistic community I have come into contact with, have been nothing short of welcoming and inclusive. It’s really important to have contact with your peers and be in touch with fellow artists, it feeds into your own creativity and output.

Tous Mag: How do you map out your workload?

Vic Wright: For the most part l try to set myself weekly goals. Generally l like to have the year mapped out with event deadlines that l need to work to. I then break it down into what has to be achieved monthly then weekly. Time feels very precious and in short supply when you’re working within school hours, so l try to be as efficient as l can in my working day.

Tous Mag: What’s the one thing that you’re proud of that keeps you working creatively?

Vic Wright: Sorry to give a boring answer but I don’t really have a piece I’m most proud of. I’d say whatever new piece that I’m working on would be the one I’m most interested in. Mostly because I will have been experimenting with a new material and trying to create new results.

One achievement that l am proud of is sustaining my creative practice as a full time career. It’s something that has taken me many years, and a house move across the country to achieve, but its starting to feel like things are taking shape.

Tous Mag: What do you like to do in your spare time when you aren't making?

Vic Wright: I really enjoy being social with friends and family over food, whether that is hosting or eating out. But l also find myself glued to a good boxset in an evening.

Fine Casting Cement