Two monumental sculptures by Sophie Ryder, Girl With Knees Up, 2019, and Sitting Minotaur, 2020 greeted visitors in front of the main entrance of the historic Grand Palais, for the 27th edition of Art Paris.
The sculptures were hand crafted by the artist from steel wire then galvanised. Wire is a
material which has been an obsession of the artist since her studies at the Royal Academy of Art Schools in London.
This installation had a special significance to Ryder; born in 1963 to a French mother, Jacqueline Bazin and an English father, Wilfred Ryder, she would visit her Grandfather who lived not far from the Grand Palais and so has known and loved the landmark since childhood.
Often designed with public spaces in mind, the wire sculpture appear solid when front lit but when the light is behind them they take on a transparent aspect to reveal smaller figures inside. Just like the hare’s ability to appear and disappear, Ryder’s larger works, with their lightness and transparency, are animated by the sky passing through, giving them life.
The MONUMENTAL project is a collaboration between GOWEN Geneva, Art Paris and with the generous support of Gander & White, Maison Belmont and Obedir.
