GALLERY

SCULPTURE

"... I feel that there are some
fundamental elements that
work together in the universe;
These are in a constant state of flux..." 

                                                   Giles Gilson

Giles Gilson’s education in the fine arts began when he was a young boy, mainly since other members of his family were serious students of painting and sculpture.
He studied with a mentor/tutor for 6 years during his jr. high, and high school years, and had the equivalent of a college education in fine arts by the time he was 18. Giles was inspired by Caldor, Magritte, and Da Vinci, among many others. He made many mobiles during that time, and his school often asked for his mobiles and other sculptures for their display areas. Much of his work is influenced by plant and animal life, human cultures, and the adventure of motion. Giles also studied music as well as the physical sciences and industrial technology from the time he was a young teenager. In his 20's he studied drama and theater arts. These are added tools that broaden the scope of the work, and allow more freedom of expression.
He uses wood as a sculpting medium, because of it’s warmth, dynamic colors and figure, yet he will use metal, plastics and composites whenever they will enhance or improve the expression.  There are no photographs of the work Giles did in his teen years. The ones shown were done from the mid 70's on.

Giles Gilson Cirrus    (Cloud Series) 1978 Laminated Woods 15' x 15' (Requires a 30' area for movement) Collection of the artist

Giles Gilson Stratus  (Mobile)   1978 Laminated Woods 72" x 27" x 52" The Lipton Collection

Giles Gilson From Gigi 1978 Maple 34 1/2" x 9" x 9" Private Collection

The "ribbon edge" that Giles uses in so many of his works is evident in pieces like this one from the 1970's.

Giles Gilson In Search of a New Dimension   1978 Walnut 28 1/2" H x 8" W x 8" D Schenectady Museum of Art

By the early 1980's there is notable evolution in the use of the "ribbon edge".

Giles Gilson Ribbon Globe 2  1984 Lacquered Wood 7 1/2" H X 6" D The Lipton Collection

Another thought that Giles had during the 80's was the idea of using the interior of hollow pieces such as turned vessel forms, as an element of the overview by cutting openings in the wall of the piece, and using vivid colors inside. This piece from the 90's shows the evolution of the "ribbon edge", the touches of pearl lacquers, and the interior dynamic.

Giles Gilson Just a Moment   (Sculpted Vertical Form) 1990.7 Walnut (Lacquered Ribbon Graphics, Light To Dark, Blue Interior, Brass, Walnut Foot 16"H" x 7" D Mobile Museum of Art