The Daily Telegraph 31st July 1998

Designs on Debris

by Saxon Cheng

Sculptor James Powditch has one thing in common with Quentin Tarantino. Recycling.

He uses materials in much the same way the Hollywood director recycles has-been actors — rescuing them from obscurity and resurrecting their careers.

Brute materials have become the focus of his artwork. If they're weathered, worn, scratched and battered, he'll use it, but forget new stuff.

It's hard to imagine how a door knob, wire and cracked red- and turquoise-painted timber can be transformed into a sculpture.

Powditch sees his sculptures as film, represented by long horizontal pieces viewed as a widescreen composition. Each frame becomes a scene to make up a narrative.

"Nearly everything is done with screen prose and a title name is given to each sculpture," Powditch said. "The decision is how to flow from one scene/segment to the next.

"It's hard suggesting what the piece will be about. If I find some materials one day, I might go in a completely different direction."

The main visual links are his use of vertical and horizontal frames, repeated and varied.

Powditch separates his work into blocks, concentraing on themes of film, music and the influences of contemporary artists.

He draws inspiration from film makers such as Francis Ford Coppola and Whitney Scott, who have very distinctive visual work.

The Cleft Pallette, Sardine Symphony and Guitar and three prominent sculptures representing styles of music.

Sardine Symphony shows three different violins featuring worn materials like a violin bow, oak timber, aluminium, paper and plastic.

In the last six years, Powditch has collected materials from laneways, junk shops, Newtown streets, the countryside and friends.

After working as a carpenter in a theatre company for 10 years and with a background in architecture, Powditch has put his mental and physical attributes into producing a "very geometric and precise construction".

Powditch's laconic approach to his first exhibition shows a contemporary refreshing style.

Level One Director Jas Hugonnet said Powditch has a great eye for dividing unusual materials into a sophisticated piece of artwork.

James Powditch's sculptures are on display until August 19, Level One Gallery, Newtown.

Press Release July 1998