Spotlight On: Carol Crawford, sculptor, TBSSS alumni & guest teacher

Name: Carol Crawford

What years did you attend classes at TBSSS?

2003 - ongoing.

What was unique about your TBSSS experience?

The acceptance, support and belief that anything is possible in your practice. Tom was a tough taskmaster, however his adherence to technique and finding the essence in your work stays with my practice to this day.

What was your first impression walking in to TBSSS at Erskineville?

I arrived at the Studio School in Erskineville with a great deal of anticipation. I had been wanting to study sculpture with Tom for many years. I remember sitting in the library area with Tom discussing what I should do for my first work. Tom was very patient and discussed the process. Damien was Tom's assistant and I also remember that Damien was incredibly helpful and skilled. I think I chose a Marino Marini reclining nude as my first sculpture, which was incredibly challenging.

What was your first impression of Tom?

I was in awe of Tom and also a bit timid of him. His intellect was palpable and his ability to 'see' was uncanny. I sat quietly during tea time to listen to the discussions of the other, more experienced students/ artists, just lapping it all up. Tea time was almost sacred - a putting down of tools to come back and look at your work with fresh eyes. Tom wore the thickest of glasses, but he could 'see' better than anyone I knew. Touch was and is, very important when creating sculpture and this was another of Tom's 'lessons' - I continue to use the sense of 'touch' when I work.

What is your fondest memory of Tom and the Studio?

My fondest memories are ones filled with mixed emotions - I remember Tom slowly walking towards me with his 'walker', turning the walker around, him sitting down on the walker and having a long, quiet look at the sculpture I would be working on. He would often then proceed to take his stumpy tool and gently adjust the piece I would have been working on. I learnt so much just observing how he used the tool and listening to him. In the early years I would create work 'after' famous sculptors. This process helped hone the skill of 'seeing', which was so important.

When discussing a work that wasn't progressing as it should, Tom may say to me, 'don't make things up'. Sometimes his comments could be quite direct and jarring (but they made you want to strive to do better) and at other times he would commend you for resolving something so well.

How have your studies at the TBSSS prepared you for your practice?

I have learnt many skills and ways of thinking sculpturally, it's almost innate now. Tom often comes to mind as I'm looking at my works critically.

What is your favourite medium to work in?

I love carving stone, the taking away process is meditative and mesmerising. I get lost in another world.

What lessons / skills / concepts have stayed with you from your time at TBSSS? 

That everything is repairable and this lesson can be applied to many aspects of life.

What inspires your practice today?

I'm inspired by an inner burn, an inner need to create beautiful forms from pieces of stone that speak to me.

Tell us about the works you are exhibiting as part of the 50th exhibition:

BELLA (above right) was carved from a beautiful large piece of Italian scaglione alabaster. As in all my alabaster works, she was carved intuitively in a long undulating conversation of back and forth and resting in between. After the initial chipping out with a pneumatic chisel, I use hand files to slowly and quietly create the final form - I polish the curves by hand. Bella sits on a base with a turning pin and has two distinct sides to her personality.

GENESIS (above left) I was the final piece that I worked on under Tom's guidance - it was created in 2009 to 2010 and was a tuning point in my sculptural life. Genesis I was created as an ode to my father who had recently passed away and the three separate parts of the sculpture represented me and my two siblings. The three parts of the sculpture sit together interlocked, supporting each other and creating one whole form, a cohesive family. When not interlocked, the pieces fall to the ground as separate entities - this is a sculptural metaphor for how important family is, and is something both my parents imbued in me.

Thank you Carol!

You can see more of Carol’s work on her website or Instagram.