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Helaine Blumenfeld OBE b. 1942
Helaine Blumenfeld was born in New York and
was a Doctor of Philosophy before studying art in
Paris, moving to Grantchester near Cambridge
in the 1960s. A visit to Italy in 1974 led her to
add marble as one of her primary media, before
this working mainly in bronze and using the
grain of her materials, incorporating blemishes
of pigmentation and flaws into the smoothness
of the surfaces. Blumenfeld moves between
studios in England and Pietra Santa in Italy.
Angels Harmony is a gift from the artist following
the Messenger of the Spirit exhibition at Salisbury
Cathedral in 2013. In this sculpture we encounter
two separate wings flying together, but not as
one. The organic surfaces transition beautifully
from one form into another with no definite
orientation, unfurling into wing-like shapes. This
work encourages us to reflect on the meaning
of Angels, from the Old Testament these beings
have appeared to man as creatures of unparalleled
beauty, they were seen to be the closest
representation of pure spirit that humans are
capable of seeing. They are spiritual messengers.
Angels Harmony, 2011
Campaccio marble
A 173 x 90 x 25 cm, B 170 x 115 x 27cm
Pedestal 170 x 44.5 cm
A gift from the artist, 2013
www.hignellgallery.com
What do you find to be harmonious in this work and what kind of harmony
do you find in the Cathedral and in these surroundings?
