Matthew Simmonds carved realistic miniature Gothic cathedral arches, stairwells and colonnades from humble blocks of Carrara marble and limestone. Often based on architectural details from real locations, such as cities around Tuscany and Bamberg Cathedral in Germany, the sculptures depict the intimate details of corners, vaulted ceilings, arcades and stairwells, which can sometimes be seen through additional apertures. Artist-carved marble and limestone moldings reveal smooth, opulent interiors while highlighting the stone’s natural qualities.
Symonds, who has been working on a series of commissions recently, is using the current quiet period to return to the studio to experiment. He told Colossal, “I’m interested in illustrating what I want to express through various themes in the work, particularly the play of character space and light, and how to express the sacredness of the sculpture’s inner world.”
