This weekend I was lucky enough to witness a stunning exhibit at Micas by Conrad Shawcross called ‘What is to become is already here’
Shawcross’s work is described as a fascinating exploration of the intersection of geometry, philosophy, physics, and metaphysics. He often incorporates obsolete theories and methods into his ambitious mechanical sculptures, using various materials and working on a grand scale. His sculptures are enigmatic, embodying paradox and wonder, with some evoking a sense of melancholy and others invoking the sublime.
The current exhibition in Malta showcases metal sculptures that resemble delicate lace. These sculptures use textures, form, and light and also colour, to create an immersive space filled with shadows and epic beauty. Shawcross’s work demonstrates how minor alterations can dramatically affect the perception of space and time, playing with the viewer’s sense of reality and relativity.
The artist’s inspiration comes from the quotation of scientist Dorothy Hodgkin, who developed a process called crystal radiography. This process involved determining the structure of amino acids by shining light through tiny crystals, akin to trying to understand a tree’s structure by only seeing its shadow. The work raises philosophical questions about whether humans can ever truly grasp the “real” object, as we are limited to perceiving shadows. Shawcross’s art invites viewers to consider whether it’s possible to fully understand the objects they see or if we are forever confined to the realm of shadows.
