Summer exhibition
THE UNDERCROFT
Vincent Mauger
5 July - 25 August
For this new commission the sculptor Vincent Mauger has built an enchanting construction from sheets of reconstituted wood.
A magical blend of fractal landscape and architectural folly, THE UNDERCROFT is a topological pavilion that seems to burst forth from the ground like an exposed crypt or vented volcanic cavern.
THE UNDERCROFT reflects a paradox; breathlessly dynamic in its structure, it is also a calming and peaceful lattice that complements the internal architecture of the building. It becomes a contemplative sanctum; a space to think about the nature of sculpture and ponder the mapping and manipulation of our physical world.
Using everyday materials gleaned from DIY stores, Mauger's sculptural enquiry takes many forms, from beautifully made objects and simple video pieces, to exquisite large scale environments.
All create the impression of space and depth, whilst testing how we, the viewer, perceive that illusion.
At first sight, his formal concerns bring to mind the geometry of computer-aided design, but closer inspection reveals an artisan's pride in carefully crafted detail.
Mauger's assemblages lie across the rather wayward creative path that starts with William Morris's Arts and Craft movement and ends in the fanatic excesses of an obsessive hobbyist.
Vincent Mauger lives and works in Nantes. Over the past year he has had his work shown by several European galleries including Code/Buro in Brussels, Galerie LH Paris, MCNN in Nevers and at the FRAC des Pays de la Loire in Nantes.
THE UNDERCROFT is his first solo exhibition in Britain.
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At the end of July, half way through the exhibition, illumination expert John Varah will relight THE UNDERCROFT. By adding lamps and moving others, he will change the angles of the shadows and highlight new points of the sculpture, subtly altering the emphasis of the work.

A blog recording the development of the installation and some of the themes and issues that surround it is being written by Jonathan Swain, the exhibition's project manager. This can be seen in Artists Unedited on AN publications website.