I’ve been passionate about art and sculpture every since I can remember. My mother taught history at ‘my’ grade school. After school I’d head off to her classroom, amusing myself, and my friends, with coloured-chalk depictions of huge ships fighting great naval battles. My blackboard murals got a lot of attention from my friends and inspiration from my grade 5 teacher.
At seventeen I was offered the impressive sum of $35.00 for a spider man sculpture I twisted out of wire – the first money I had ever earned from sculpture. That summer, I went to forest ranger camp deep in the northern Ontario bush and returned home with $200.00. My mother suggested I use my well-earned money to pay for car insurance. I said no – I’d rather have a welding torch than drive the family car. My mom rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Nova Albion: 31 inches,79cm. tall. Bronze on green marble. 2007
Since I bought that first welding torch I’ve never looked back. I taught myself to weld and experimented with whatever materials I could get my hands on. In 1974 I joined the Ottawa to Vancouver exodus, and started refining my techniques utilizing copper, brass and steel while exploring my ‘brave new world’.
I eventually moved to Victoria and began the labour-intensive process of creating bronzes. After many years of working and journeying through Australia, I created Belle Poule (pretty hen} and Nova Albion (the name of all North America north of New Spain claimed by Sir Francis Drake in 1579).
Belle Poule: 31 inches, 79cm. tall. Bronze and stainless steel on green marble. 2005
Belle Poule and Nova Albion are two very intricate sculptures that came to life with intensive research, a lot of tedious problem-solving, a vivid imagination and hours and hours of highly- skilled labour.
Belle Poule and Nova Albion are both on green marble bases that swivel on turn tables. It is vital that my complex sculptures are three-dimensional and visible from every angle.
It’s time for a new adventure. I have been doing complex bronzes for so long I have the techniques down pat. I have recently been experimenting with large-scale sculptures made out of recycled industrial materials.
My new challenge is figuring out how the recycled alloys will work technically. I don’t always know what alloy it is and some alloys don’t take kindly to being welded. Different alloys have different properties.
Windy Day: Brass,bronze,stainless steel and marble. 27 inches by 9 inches by 17.5 inches tall. 2012
If I had to give advice to any artist I’d say: “Try to do your best with everything you do. Don’t be influenced by what’s fashionable, because it will go out of style. Don’t get too wrapped up in passing trends.”
Image Credits
All Images © Allen Edgar – All Videos © Efren Quiroz
Darcy Gould Artist Bio
Darcy Gould is an unassuming, internationally-renowned sculptor. His style is distinctively art-Deco-ish. Darcy has shown in Perth, Australia, and had numerous exhibits in several of Canada’s major galleries and city’s.
Early in his career, Darcy connected with Toronto’s Pollack Gallery – at that time one of Canada’s top 3 influential galleries. Jack Pollack, not to be confused with Jackson Pollack, realized Darcy was a very talented, adventurer living in his studio and ‘almost’ supporting himself with art. Jack suggested Darcy move in the direction of signed bronzes for their intrinsic value.
Darcy has reached the stage in his career where he can do what he wants, and so he spends his time creating large outdoor sculptures based on a vision he had almost a decade ago when he was making some bronze fittings for his sailboat – but that’s another story!
Blog / Website: Darcy Gould Sculpture
Visit Darcy at:
Darcy Gould Studio
3022 Wascana St.
Victoria B.C.
V9A !V8
Canada
250-386-3762
Concepts, commissions and visitors are always welcome, but please phone in advance.
Darcy may be drifting around on his sailboat photographing coastal cloud formations envisioning his next project.
Please Share Your Thoughts - Leave A Comment!