Charlie Hurcombe’s work explores and promotes the tensions that exist between visual and tactile experience. With particular emphasis placed on the coexistence of disrupted forms and reflective lustrous surfaces, the artist’s work makes reference to both sculpture and painting. The combined use of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, together with gloss paint, features throughout much of his work.
The utilisation of gloss paint refers to both protected and decorated surfaces whilst the use of discordant colours and geometric design suggests dual concerns associated with attraction and caution.
Hurcombe’s disrupted forms and structures suggest both uncertainty and movement. Within the work, the temptation and desire to touch is negated by the object’s status whilst being simultaneously encouraged by the presence of functional attributes and fixtures. The utilisation of manufactured items – such as wooden handles – is significant in promoting issues concerning interaction, functionality and scale.
For Assemblage, Hurcombe created new sculptures especially to be shown for the first time at The Art House. His new sculptures featured an increased use of reclaimed wood and man-made materials, with the methods of construction and process of assembly evident in each of his sculptures.
Hurcombe was the second of four artists selected to participate in the Some Times national residency programme, which brings contemporary artists to work with audiences and communities in Wakefield, as part of the artists’ development.