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Page 1 of 9 - Hi Jason, and thanks for your time to chat with us at Scuba Herald, Jason tell us about who you are and what is Underwater Sculpture?
I am a British Sculptor/Diving Instructor. 32 years of age, currently resident in London. The underwater sculpture gallery is a project aiming to create a unique space which highlights environmental processes and explores the complex relationships between art and its environment. By creating an artificial reef of sculptures, the ultimate aim of the project is to form a platform to promote the re-generation of marine life and use sculpture as a means of conveying hope and environmental awareness
- How does a young english artist end up spending his time diving in the carribean and setting up underwater sculptures?
I ended up teaching diving in Grenada and I thought I might as well seize the opportunity while I could. I have had the idea of a underwater sculpture park for over 8 eight years and finally found a opening. It had the perfect location and the support from diving community and government. It is also an island of exceptional beauty and I found it very inspiring.
- What came first for Jason Taylor, your love for diving or your passion for sculpting.... tell us a bit about your diving experiences and when you became an instructor
I lived in Malaysia when I was a boy and spent most of my time after school exploring the local coastline.This started my love for diving. Gaining my OWSI in 1994, I have dived extensively in Australia, Philippines, Rea Sea and the Caribbean. Moving to the UK in my teens I started becoming interested in public art and sculpture, devoting the next four years to completing my degree. It just then seemed like the natural conclusion to combine both these elements. In 2001 I lived in Australia. Completing my IDC with Tony Fontes in Airlie Beach, Queensland. Continuing to work as a Dive instructor for Deep Sea Divers Den and Pro Dive, Cairns.
- How's the creative process to start one of your projects? How long does it take you to produce each artwork and tell us about the logistics from the moment you think of each project to the moment the sculpture lies underwater.
The idea for a piece usually comes at the most mundane moment, stuck in a traffic jam, washing up, whenever my mind is left to wonder. I then develop drawings and Marquette’s, photograph and then overlay the image on the underwater site photo. To see how it looks. Huge amount of research then goes into how the object will be secured to the ocean floor and what materials it will be constructed from. I then cast the figures in my work shop and then organise transport to the site. (see page PROCESS on website http://www.underwatersculpture.com/) The largest piece is Vicissitudes which weighs over 5 tons and covers an area of 25sq metres. It took 3 months to construct and a week underwater to assemble. - Tell us about the work you are doing at the moment in Belize and the Underwater Sculpture Park
I do not have any plans for work in Belize, although there might be a installation of a piece in a Lake in Guatemala, yet to be confirmed.
- What are the sort of conditions do you need to setup the sculptures, can your scultures survive in any sort of Oceans and temperatures?
Yes, the sculptures can survive in most types of sea. However my main problem is wave action and current. Which is why I like to use secluded bays or place the work in-between sections of reef?
- It seems your art is far away from obvious, each of your sculptures left us with a strange feeling, like a hidden message... what behind your scultures and your inspiration?
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