The Learning Curve: Laurel Hixon

We thought it was time to start featuring students again from our wonderful creative community! Get in touch, if you'd like to be featured.

Today, we'd like you to say hello to regular Saturday student, Laurel Hixon (pictured above left).

How long have you been at TBSSS?

I started sculpting at TBSSS shortly after moving to Newtown in 2020 in my quest for “le ville du quart d’heure”. (One might argue a sculpture studio is not a necessity though they’d be wrong.) So, about 4 years with COVID disruptions. 

What are some sculptures that inspire you?

After seeing a wonderful show at the small but mighty Estorick Collection in Islington (N. London), I’ve been especially inspired by Alexander Archipenko. The simplicity of his Torso in Space (above, top right) is perfection to me. Similarly, Brancusi’s Bird in Space (above, bottom left) which, over the years, I’ve seen in marble and bronze and I find mesmerising. I’m not drawn to fussy detail. 

What do you love about sculpting?

As Anni Albers said: “art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness.” I’ve never done any kind of studio art before, so sculpting is a new kind of happiness for me. I love the challenge of drawing from the right side of my brain for a change… though I still cannot follow map directions. 

What do you do when you’re not at TBSSS?

I’m a retired public health policy wonk and university academic, and it’s still really important for me to spend part of every week trying to make the world a better place. Corny—I know! But, this could be as simple as baking sweets for the families staying in the Youth Cancer (“You Can”) Centre at The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse or as ambitious as raising money for various philanthropic projects…mostly in Senegal. 

Otherwise, when not at TBSSS, I look for other new challenges. Right now, it’s learning the electric bass guitar (look out Tina Weymouth). I also travel as much as I can. 

Tell us about what you’re working on currently… 

I just finished my 5th plaster piece and 2nd original sculpture. With “Lilith”(pictured above, bottom middle), I used direct plaster on an armature, a technique new to me. She was inspired by ancient Venus figurines (like the Venus of Willendorf), and the work of Rebecca Warren.

I’m only 2 days into my first attempt at working with alabaster (pictured above, bottom right) and it’s a very different experience—subtracting rather than adding; “listening” to the material tell me what it wants to be. I chose a piece of alabaster from which an abstract collection of calla lilies might emerge. 

Thanks for chatting with us Laurel!