The Bluecoat
I went and visited Bruce Asbestos’s ‘Ok! Cherub!’, exhibited in their courtyard. It was a commissioned piece, consisting of three inflatable sculptures: a giant art, a yellow worm and frogspawn. Each inflatable symbolises a different form of positive mental health. The frogspawn represents community, the giant yellow worm rest, and the giant arm connection. The sculptures were created in relation to the Bluecoat’s famous historic courtyard and building. I didn’t get to see the worm as it isn’t available at the minute, however I did get to see the frogspawn and arm.
Influences for the frogspawn piece came from Asbestos’s walks to the local pond during lockdown and finding inspiration in the togetherness ergo Community. The giant arm is about reaching out and symbolises the Connection in a community. He mixed his work with his knowledge of fashion, pop culture and high art.
Asbestos said, "I like to think that this work is essentially about different forms of Love; and that there is this sculptural conversation between my pop works and the history of Renaissance art, and the Baroque. I was also interested in making big fun sculptures that will wobble in the wind; I like that people will enjoy having selfies with a giant relaxing yellow worm."
This is the view upon entering the gates at The Bluecoat, and the arm is directly behind the gate. I really like this installation as it is a fun take on what we went through as a community during lockdown. It reminded me that even though we’re going through hell; COVID and the current situation in Ukraine, we are still one as a community and we still have each other. I also love the cartoon take on the subject as it injects some fun in an otherwise serious situation.
