Oliver Patch

Oliver Patch

“Divine Evolution”

Mixed media sculpture

My mixed media sculptural work conveys a sociological narrative about evolution of the species.  Encased within the human eye/globe is a mechanised wheel that turns to display this cycle.  The entire display is supported by a tree, representing nature, the tree of life and the ancestral tree.  The enormous eye morphs into the planet Earth and stares at the viewer, challenging them to gaze within.    

Oliver Patch

“Alchemical Cosmos”

Sculpture

In my mechanised sculpture “Alchemical Cosmos” I have created a 17th century alchemical solar system rotating around the symbol of gold, or the sun.  Each of the seven planets represents a fundamental metal used in alchemy. The speed and rotation of each planet is independent as they move on different paths, at different speeds, representative of a true solar system.  Surrounding the cosmos are a variety of symbolic objects, including large eggs representing Ovium Philosophicums, or hermetically sealed vessels suggesting death and rebirth.  When the egg cracks the elixir of prolonged life, or the Philosopher’s Stone, emerges.  I have used a wide variety of materials to convey my symbolic narrative, including wood, rope, rubber, clay, found objects, and mechanised components.    Colour is used to represent the various metals that make up the planets.  For example, the planet of Venus is copper, while Jupiter is represented by the grey of tin. My work makes many transitions and creates a visually captivating spectacle, suggesting that knowledge is relative, and that scientific knowledge is in a constant process of evolution.