Craig Barnes

Craig Barnes seeks to make 3d objects in an increasingly two-dimensional world. Fresh out of Central Saint Martins Fine Art BA, Barnes employs an arsenal of seemingly redundant modern materials to create architectural sculptures, which while responding to contemporary living, also seek to re-appraise the forgotten moments of the past.


Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I can’t help myself.

What or who inspires you?
Car boot sales and people who do their own thing.

What is your final piece ‘Corbusier’s Cabanon,’ about?
Le Cabanon was the only building the architect Corbusier built for himself. Located on the French Riviera, the building is humble in scale but rich in the proportional detail inherent in Le Modular, his system of sizing which draws heavily on the human figures proportions. "Le Caban-non" (my piece) is an approximation of it constructed using a modular system derived from a standard wood panel sized sheets of 2440mm x 1220mm (or in imperial ft, 8' x 4').

What’s your favourite object?
Right now, a small ceramic lobster.

Your work that features a bicycle and paint (the bicycle powered centrifugal casting machine) looks like a lot of fun…
I was working with ways of affecting the casting process without directly being in contact with the material. It was an experiment to see how plaster would set when a centrifugal force was applied (ie, spinning it) - would it retain its 'shape', the same vortex like shape that you get when you take the plug out the bath. The shape of the mould itself was a circular piece of cardboard folded into 12 sections that allowed the mould to be removed leaving the moulded plaster intact. It was open at the top to allow the plaster to be poured in, and was also a little wonky, which aided the spillage greatly. The mould leaked if I cycled too fast. It was filled with coloured plaster and it took me a week to remove the spillage of the floor. It was a happy accident however.

How was your recent degree show?
Rather pleasant all told. It was certainly a relief to let go of the work and see how people took it. I had some great conversations with a bunch of people. I sold two pictures and had a small piece stolen, which at this point I'm beyond caring about. In fact, I'll take it as a compliment. However, I am now in quite great need of a bacon sandwich and cup of tea.

What are your plans for after you graduate?
Lie down for a bit, and get back up again.

By Stephanie Grace