When Art Becomes an Exchange

One of the unexpected pleasures of creating sculptures has been the relationships that have grown around them.

I also collect digital art, particularly works that explore memory, identity, transformation and the relationship between people and technology.

Over time, these two interests began to meet.

Some of the most meaningful works in my collection arrived not through an auction or a purchase, but through an exchange between artists.

A Sculpture for a Painting

Scottish artist Trevor Jones and I share an interest in combining traditional artistic practices with contemporary technology.

Our exchanges have included my sculpture of Ava, a character from Eclipsed Eternity, and works from Trevor's own artistic practice.

Seeing Ava photographed in his studio was a particularly special moment.

A character that began in my imagination had found a place in another artist's creative world.

Across Different Artistic Worlds

I've also exchanged work with Osinachi, whose digital art explores identity, technology and the human condition.

My sculpture Axorath became part of his household, while an artist's proof of his work The Gourney became part of my collection.

The exchange felt especially meaningful because of my long professional connection with Africa and my interest in how technology shapes our relationship with the natural world.

Another exchange involved photographer Justin Aversano, who received a bronze sculpture of Luma.

Justin's encouragement was important to me. His recognition of something in my sculptures helped strengthen my confidence to continue developing Oldbies.

More Than Objects

What interests me about these exchanges isn't their financial value.

It's the conversation they create.

A sculpture travels to another artist's studio. A digital artwork enters my collection. Two very different practices become connected through a shared appreciation of each other's work.

The materials may be different - bronze, photography, painting or pixels - but the underlying impulse is often remarkably similar.

We create things to communicate something that words alone cannot quite express.

Art That Finds Its Own Place

Oldbies remains a small, personal sculptural practice alongside my main work.

I don't want to produce large numbers of sculptures. I'd rather create fewer pieces, give them the time they need and see where they find their place.

Sometimes that's with a collector.

Sometimes it's in another artist's studio.

And sometimes, the most valuable result is simply the relationship that begins with an exchange.