Armour Boys - Laura Ford
Laura Ford is an astounding sculptor from Cardiff, Wales. She was
born in 1961 and studied at Bath Academy of Arts from 1978 to 1982 and then
Chelsea School of Art from 1982-1983. Out of the numerous sculptures she has
created, the one that caught my attention most was one shown at DeCordova
Sculpture Park. "Armour Boys" was a 5 piece set that was sculpted in 2006 out of
Bronze. It was a cast of 5 child-sized suits of crushed armor from an additive
sculpture. These pieces stand with the measurements of 12’’x55”x21 ½” and are
scattered around the forest floor of the sculpture park in various places as if
they had truly been in battle.
Smooth in texture and dark in color, each of these sculptures are unified. All
five are sending the message of "a dark social commentary about the burden of war
upon individuals and society(decordova.org)". Laura Ford had an idea in her mind when she created these works.
She wished to shed light on the complexity of adulthood and create a
negative outlook on the idea of children soldiers. She looked down on the
practice of sending men and women to fight and possibly die in battle when
they’re so young. Using such a sensitive subject matter like the death of small
children, makes innocent observers into part of her investigation of the
physical and emotional violation of children. It’s been noted that the sculpture
was inspired by a film depicting the death of the Palestinian
children.
"Armour Boys" is an extremely moving piece. It has emotion and history and
passion behind it. Seeing the crushed armor lying on the ground, and thinking
that in some places, this does happen is terribly upsetting. It ignites a spark
of anger and disgust in me knowing that children are fighting for their lives
somewhere. I really like this piece despite the sadness it causes because the
subject matter is real, and is relatable or allows someone to feel compassion
for the set. It allows for someone to be able to interpret the meaning and
understand the passion and emotion behind the creation of it. I enjoy the
simplicity of these sculptures and yet the complexity behind the work.
born in 1961 and studied at Bath Academy of Arts from 1978 to 1982 and then
Chelsea School of Art from 1982-1983. Out of the numerous sculptures she has
created, the one that caught my attention most was one shown at DeCordova
Sculpture Park. "Armour Boys" was a 5 piece set that was sculpted in 2006 out of
Bronze. It was a cast of 5 child-sized suits of crushed armor from an additive
sculpture. These pieces stand with the measurements of 12’’x55”x21 ½” and are
scattered around the forest floor of the sculpture park in various places as if
they had truly been in battle.
Smooth in texture and dark in color, each of these sculptures are unified. All
five are sending the message of "a dark social commentary about the burden of war
upon individuals and society(decordova.org)". Laura Ford had an idea in her mind when she created these works.
She wished to shed light on the complexity of adulthood and create a
negative outlook on the idea of children soldiers. She looked down on the
practice of sending men and women to fight and possibly die in battle when
they’re so young. Using such a sensitive subject matter like the death of small
children, makes innocent observers into part of her investigation of the
physical and emotional violation of children. It’s been noted that the sculpture
was inspired by a film depicting the death of the Palestinian
children.
"Armour Boys" is an extremely moving piece. It has emotion and history and
passion behind it. Seeing the crushed armor lying on the ground, and thinking
that in some places, this does happen is terribly upsetting. It ignites a spark
of anger and disgust in me knowing that children are fighting for their lives
somewhere. I really like this piece despite the sadness it causes because the
subject matter is real, and is relatable or allows someone to feel compassion
for the set. It allows for someone to be able to interpret the meaning and
understand the passion and emotion behind the creation of it. I enjoy the
simplicity of these sculptures and yet the complexity behind the work.