james capper: creatures with mechanical claws

james cappernipper long reach, 2012painted steel, hydraulics, plaster 130 x 32 x 80 cm (base: 130 x 40 x 100 cm) image courtesy of hannah barry gallery

james capper creates large sculptural works which take on forms that resemble industrial tools and machinery, from hydraulic pumps, tractor blades to cutting claws and spindles of a milling machine. his purpose? to generate new functions for already familiar objects–in this case the mechanical apparatuses are paired with large blocks of plaster which the british artist ‘attacks’ with his conceived devices, considering them much like ‘drawing machines’ which he uses to carve and make markings on the white chunks of material. here, the performative aspect of the work becomes just as important as the tools themselves.

james cappercropper, 2012painted steel, hydraulics, plaster90 x 32 x 50 cm image courtesy of hannah barry gallery

james cappertwin miller, 2012painted steel, hydraulics, plaster100 x 30 x 40 cmimage courtesy of hannah barry gallery

james cappersingle miller, 2012painted steel, hydraulics, plaster130 x 26 x 38 cmimage courtesy of hannah barry gallery

james cappercone cutter, 20122012 painted steel, hydraulics, plaster 60 x 36 x 36 cm image courtesy of hannah barry gallery

james capperhydra scoop, 2012 painted steel, hydraulics, plaster 30 x 110 x 38 cmimage courtesy of hannah barry gallery

james cappernipper long reach, 2012painted steel, hydraulics, plaster 130 x 32 x 80 cm (base: 130 x 40 x 100 cm) image courtesy of saatchi gallery

james capper’s presentation at the 2013 armory showvideo courtesy of jason das