Richard Paton
Richard Paton’s recent work has explored various aspects of magnetism, from the generation of the earth’s magnetic field to the magneto-reception found in animals of all species. Recent scientific papers have concluded that humans don’t have this sense and are therefore disconnected from the earth’s magnetic field. He sees this as a grand metaphor for humanity’s disconnection to the natural world in general and how we have a lot to learn.
As an environmentalist, Richard is inspired by the natural world and the forces at play beyond our daily experience which motivates the making of new work. Scientific ideas usually form the bedrock on which to build visual explorations of various materials but recently the use of magnets provide a kinetic feature adding tension to the works. Richard is moving away from making static sculpture to more digitally interactive as well as mechanically interactive forms which explore themes within this period of extinction we are watching unfold on our screens.
Navigate and contemplate.