Angus Adameitis

September 2010 Exhibition

These recent sculptures integrate diverse materials; scrap metal rich and unique in character and carefully fabricated elements made with polymer resin. All of the works have a sense of being pared back to the essential forms. Angus chooses to either disguise or emphasize the tormented scrap steel in each work. As a result each sculpture has a distinct personality quite different from the next. The display of elements behaving and reacting differently in relation to its neighbor instills these sculptures with human like qualities and mannerisms Motivated by the material, Angus continues to incorporate the pedestal as a fundamental element in the work. This extends the spatial boundaries of the sculpture.

‘Angus Adameitis is one of the most adventurous artists among a new generation of impressive and important sculptors. The apparently casual way the elements of Angus’ sculptures are put together belie a considerable ingenuity, that ingenuity is not just a technical skill but also has an impact on the freedom he can exercise in arranging the elements in the works to dramatic effect. His sculptures are voluptuous, using the contrasts and interactions between the implied soft; crushed and twisted elements and the more geometric sections as well as a play against the rigidity of the pedestal. Angus’ choice of elements and how he arranges them brings out a sensuality not often seen in abstract sculpture.  By contrast so much recent ‘figurative’ sculpture attempting to achieve sensuality often turns out to be cloying.  Literalness of figurative sculpture may have become a liability in this regard.  The figurative tradition could learn something from abstract sculpture.  Matisse and Degas knew the difference. Angus’ contribution to expanding the breadth of expression that can be achieved in the tradition of abstract sculpture is worthy of attention and for other sculptors keeps us on our toes!’  Ron Robertson – Swann  OAM.