Works in Carrara marble belong to a long tradition of sculpture in the classical tradition and Martin Selman continues in this vein, at once celebrating and subverting tradition with his sculptures of such mundane 21st century objects as crushed cans and bottles, cushions and blankets. Selman’s fluid carving suspends reality and the stone appears soft and pliable to the eye, something belied by the smooth, hard surface felt when the work is handled. The varied, subtle tones within the stone are explored and exploited to their best advantage, creating a sense of texture beneath the exterior of each piece.

Whereas marble statuary has traditionally been used to address such lofty subjects as classical mythologies, saints, and great leaders, Selman immortalises the ordinary. Despite the religious overtones of its title, The Fall is not a comment on the Garden of Eden, but references a night out seeing a band and “the detritus accumulated over a brief period prior to the gig". (1) The enduring nature of Selman’s chosen material elevates popular culture, suggesting that everyday actions of everyday people too are worthy of contemplation over the centuries.

Using wall-mounted, stylised silhouettes of koru, guns and wahaika, NZ Sculpture presents multiple narratives, as Selman asks viewers to consider the historicity of the medium, the genre and the message. With clear references to the works of Richard Killeen and Gordon Walters, the artist’s use of familiar forms immediately engages the viewer and raises questions about the cultural and political ideologies they represent. Seen from a distance, the ‘cut-out’ shapes appear two dimensional at first but, under closer examination, reveal finely draped, fabric-like folds.

With an ability to transform a block of marble into beautifully observed objects from daily life, it is Martin Selman’s confident combination of classical carving techniques and contemporary subject matter that reveals the voice of an assured and adroit sculptor.

1. Martin Selman, Artist’s Statement, May 2013