Justin Galligan
When Justin was young his father, a mechanic, would bring home old starter motors to extract the copper wire which would be used to tie up the grapevine and hold the chook pen together. From early experimentation with the material, Justin realised a wire is a line in space that could be utilised to sketch in three dimensions and delineate space.
Initially inspired by the curves and angles of the female form, Justin created figurative pieces, allowing the posture of the piece to portray the emotion or story to the viewer, enabling them to complete the picture in their mind. A subtle gesture this way or that can alter the meaning greatly. His Tea Pets and 'Birds of the sea' are testament to this.
Justin has expanded his use of the wire medium by incorporating the classic kiwi Number 8 wire, chicken mesh, steel rod and concrete into his repertoire.
“I enjoy the challenge of taking an everyday industrial product to create a sculpture that has a breathe of life to it. When an idea comes an unsettled time of labour begins, sometimes fraught with difficulties, and literally blood, but to finally have the finished piece 'here' is highly rewarding”.
