It’s Hard To Make A Stand. 2009. 215 x 196 x 102 cm
Fur coat, polyurethane, polythene, mirrored acrylic, wood

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This piece by Canadian born, London based STEVE BISHOP leaves the viewer both intrigued and questioning the artists thought process. Just like the rest of his works made of found, ready made and fabricated objects.

“It’s Hard To Make A Stand is a more recent work,” says BISHOP. “I was getting more into using found things and there’s less of my hand in the making. The horse is made from foam, and the blue sheet is the wrapper it came in. I draped a fur coat over its head and it looks like a dog’s head. I’m interested in this process of readymade assemblage because it’s more powerful to let something operate by itself. It was really hard to make a base for it – that’s where the title comes from. The stand has a double bevelled edge as a nod to public sculpture. It’s like a defaced memorial, like when you see a statue of a soldier on a horse and someone’s put a traffic cone on its head – what does that gesture stand for?”

Good news: you can view this work at Saatchi Gallery, London during the exhibiton British Art Now Part II until 17 January, 2011

Strangely compelling!