Boston "T"

	Artist: Will Maclean
	Title: Boston "T"
	Year: 1989
	Medium: mixed media construction
	Dimensions:
	Suggested topic: fantasy and imagination
	Source: RSA Diploma Collection
	View full screen image of this work
	Open print version of this work
© the artist
Description: Will Maclean's work embraces a wide range of media and reflects his passionate interest in his Gaelic heritage and Scottish seafaring cultures.Boston T is one of many constructions fabricated by the artist from wood and many other materials. It was assembled from distressed materials after the artist had visited New England in the USA. The title refers to the Boston underground system and the little figures are based on ancient Egyptian statuettes from the Boston Museum of Art. These figures had religious significance and here they give this piece the quality of a mysterious shrine. Many of Maclean's works are wall based, so although they are flat to the wall they are actually three-dimensional works with depth and space. The large voids in this piece are a good demonstration of this. The T-shape could also relate to a crucifixion, further enhancing the mysterious religious connotations of the piece.Maclean makes very finely finished works which often have an aged or distressed texture, as though the object has been washed up on a beach having been tossed around at sea. The palette of this piece is very pale and cool, similar to the pale grey granite of North Eastern Scotland. This piece has been made in response to a visit to another place. For example, Maclean may have been inspired to choose this cool pale blue by the painted wooden houses of the New England coast. Have you ever been inspired to make an artwork while on holiday, or even when travelling to a nearby place? Think about the factors which would inspire you? New people? Different light? Unusual objects, tastes or smells?