Huxley’s Fermata is his third sculptural contribution to the Cure3 exhibitions. ‘Fermata’ is a musical term signifying the prolongation of a note. The pause that holds the musical or, here, sculptural piece in a precarious balance, is a current theme in Huxley’s work. Fermata, like other works in the series, did in fact balance momentarily before the artist froze it in its present configuration. “Balancing acts are an ancient form of entertainment; they inspire awe and disbelief and so they are fun. They can also be dangerous and forebode downfall and disaster” says Huxley, a seminal figure in the development of abstract painting in Britain and beyond. Teacher, painter, sculptor, printmaker and writer, his work is continuously enriching, deconstructing and redefining abstraction and its principles. Fermata is an invitation, as indicated by its title, to pause and relish the suspended moment in time it offers.


www.paulhuxley.com
www.royalacademy.org.uk

Portrait courtesy Susie Allen-Huxley