GERMAN sculptor Thomas Schutte, one of whose works is soon to be unveiled on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, is the subject of an exhibition at the Henry Moore Institute, the Headrow, Leeds.
The ever-inventive Schutte makes an impact on visitors even before they enter the gallery, as he has placed hundreds of small gold vinyl rings on the outside front wall. “I wanted to have something even, but not formalistic,” he says.
The Leeds exhibition features his early work from the late 70s, some of which has not been seen for 30 years. Delicate paper pieces, decorated with pencil lines, hang from one wall. Another wall is completely filled with images of bricks, made from wood and painted in oils – the title of the show is Fake/Function.
Circles, rectangles and squares in varied sizes and colours reflect the minimalism of the period, and Schutte questions the nature of art and illusion.
The sculptor, from Dusseldorf, is engaged in a different kind of work these days. He makes figurative pieces and architectural models, and it is one of these models that was chosen from pieces by six artists for the privileged position at the Trafalgar Square site.
In the mezzanine gallery, things go back a little further still, with sculptures and designs by Bernard Schottlander (d. 1999), a German Jewish immigrant, who arrived in Britain at the start of the Second World War. He was known for his elegant furniture and light fittings, and his work was showcased by the Council of Industrial Design in the postwar years.
A large photograph of a 1960s room, with vintage TV set and a Rayburn solid fuel fire, includes a Mantis lamp by Schottlander. The show features his bucket chairs in fibreglass and steel from the 1950s, ceiling pendants and wall lights.
And there are photographs of his large outside sculptures at the South Bank, London, at Liverpool University outside the halls of residence at Loughborough University.
CARO WARD, of Shepley, whose favourite subject matter in horses, has staged an exhibition of her paintings, with an equine flavour in the Cafe Ollo at Kirklees Media Centre, Northumberland Street.
The show is titled Invisible, and the artist explains she is exploring the delicate invisible forces that surround us everyday, like vibration, movement and rhythm, themed on the horse as an intriguing metaphor.
The exhibition runs until November 14 and opens 10am to 3.30pm daily.
