HENRY MOORE FOUNDATION ARTIST AWARD SCHEME

In early 2020 I began creating a new cardboard sculpture to focus on the impact of Covid-19 on the younger generation… particularly how I saw it affecting my 16-year-old son. The work references the pandemic, technological coping strategies, climate changes, lung health and exam results. The sculpture stands on top of a ‘yellow brick road,’ which I take to mean a course of action that a person takes believing it will lead to good things.

Whilst creating this sculpture, Shape Arts in London nominated me for the Henry Moore Foundation Artist Award Scheme, and I received a monetary grant helping me to complete this work. This grant came at an important time during the first national Covid-19 lockdown, when artistic opportunities were reduced, allowing me time and space to concentrate on completing the sculpture ‘Effects of Lockdown.’ This feels like a significant development in my sculptural practice.

“Capturing the fragility of our time is no simple task, especially not with everyday materials, but somehow sculptor James Lake has managed to breathe life into a description of our time as well as a moment of passage for his son in this most stunning and poignant of modellings. We are delighted that James’ talent was recognised by the Henry Moore Foundation this summer, who made him an award from their new fund supporting the ‘future of sculpture’, assisting artists at a time when other sources of income might no longer be available. As longstanding supporters of James and his practice, we were very proud to nominate him for this award, and the resulting sculpture, is, we think, a beautiful and touching testament to his skill, passion and commitment as a contemporary artist.” Jeff Rowlings, Head of Programme, Shape Arts

More information on the Henry Moore grant HERE