PAMELA CONACHER marvels at the transformations of  mundane objects into exquisite art.

Having gradually developed a solid reputation for showing emerging and established contemporary art in a domestic setting, The Ingleby Gallery has celebrated its 10th Anniversary by moving to a new building in central Edinburgh.

The Gallery was a building site until it reopened on the 1st August 2008. At first glance in the windows it would be easy to think that some of the space is as yet incomplete: a brush is propped against the wall, rawl plugs and screws project, paint splatters the wooden floor.

All is not as it seems as artist Susan Collis has been at work. A closer look reveals her trick of trompe l’oeil: humble objects become exquisite works of art using precious and beautiful materials.

As good as it gets appears as a rawl plug with a screw but is made of platinum with white sapphire, turquoise, onyx. The paint marks on the floor are inlaid mother of pearl. The broom; Love is a charm of Powerful Trouble uses opals, pearls, diamonds, sapphires, garnets, rubies, labrodorite, moonstone, white howlite, jadeite, citron crysoprase, turquoise, perdoit, emerald and a wooden broom!

Collis’s use of these materials to trick the eye is immaculately crafted and is completely unexpected. Each work takes many months of labour to meticulously create and celebrates the discipline of making something perfectly.

Trained as a sculptor, she works with traditional techniques to transform everyday mundane objects to be looked at but not used.

Craft has the reputation of being for only useful objects. Now we can reconsider that and just relish in the skill and imagination of an artist pushing our perceived boundaries.

(Susan Collis’ solo exhibition is showing till 24 September 2008 at Gallery II, Ingleby Gallery, 15 Calton Road, Edinburgh )

© Pamela Conacher, 2008

Links

• Ingleby Gallery
• Seventeen Gallery