The Summit Sculpture Series: 1. Interview with Sculptor Joshua Diment

This September we will be hosting our very first contemporary sculpture exhibition in the gardens (12th September – 11th October). The exhibition is being organised and curated by Joshua Diment and Angelique Arnold, they have been busy putting together a select group of sculptors whose work will enhance and work with the natural beauty of Riverhill. Josh is a sculptor himself and we are already lucky enough to have several of his works on display around the gardens.

I wanted to put together a series of blogs about the exhibition as we move towards September, giving our visitors a chance to engage with the work and get to know  the artists before the exhibition opens on the 12th of September. I thought the best place to start would be to ask Josh some questions about his process, works and some of the stories behind his pieces.

Joshua in his Kent studio

Q:Your pieces are generally all large scale, especially your newest piece with us, Icarus. It must have presented some challenges working in concrete at that size. Could you tell us a little more about the process involved?

Unlike carved sculpture my pieces are made in modular sections, allowing a 270g sculpture to be moved into position with relative ease compared to a similar sized stone or bronze sculpture. This does, however, present some challenges of its own as each modular section must be jointed to the one before and after it. Icarus represented the most technically challenging series of problems to overcome to date. It is cantilevered so the blocks cannot be simply stacked one of top of the other. Instead it required tension rods to carry the load of the forces involved. Icarus has 29 pins and 10 threaded rods holding it together.

Joshua installing Icarus in the Wood Garden at Riverhill.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about Icarus and why this story resonated with you?

Icarus was the third piece in a series of which the first two had explored curve, but only in a vertical dimension. I did not even know at the beginning of the project that I would be building a falling, winged man. But as I worked the clay to add in horizontal and vertical form the figure emerged. Icarus represents the risk we all take when we push the boundaries of what is possible. Like Icarus, during the build phase of the project, I was unsure if the piece would even stand up. But that is the risk you take when embarking on new and exploratory endeavours. It came to pass that society was also on the same journey at the same time as this sculpture. And perhaps had pushed too far and too hard and so like Icarus, fell. 

Installing the Twin Towers at the entrance to the maze at Riverhill Gardens

Q: The two columns that you have just installed at the entrance to our maze bear some interesting and obviously significant symbols. How do you choose these and what is their significance?

The Twin Towers are based on pre-Inca stonework found in Puma Punku in the high desert of Bolivia. The stonework found in these sites inspired my original interest in sculpture, due to their unique nature and technically demanding creation. 

Q: Are all your pieces one offs or do you create any limited editions?

All the pieces so far have been original sculpture, however, I am producing a three part series, one urn and two vases, which will all be slightly different but made from the same moulds. These will be unusable after the third casting. The urn will be displayed at Riverhill once completed. 

Q: We now have several of your works in our Gardens and there seems to be a great range and diversity to your work, it appears playful and explorative, can you tell us a bit more about how your sculptures come to be, do you begin with sketches or maquettes and they evolve out of that or do they come to you fully formed?

The process has evolved from the most basic interlocking shapes and through time has developed into an almost unlimited palate of shape, texture, colour and form. Once a project has been cast, my mind, seemingly of its own accord, begins constructing the next piece.

One of Josh’s pieces sympathetically installed on the top terrace of our walled garden.

Q: The placement of the pieces in the Gardens is clearly significant, how do you decide where to put them?

My pieces are placed to optimise the viewers appreciation and hopefully to maximise the splendour of both the historic and modern aspects of the stunning gardens at Riverhill. 

Visitors to the gardens can currently enjoy six works by Joshua around Riverhill, see if you can locate them all on your next visit. We are excited to be getting his brand new 21st Century Urn once it is completed so be sure to come and view.

The Summit Sculpture Exhibition will run between the 12th of September and the 11th of October. With a curated exhibition of a select group of sculptors working in a range of mediums and scales. All works will be for sale.

Normal entrance fees apply and you will still need to book your slot online via our website.

Look out for updates via social media and our next blog coming soon!