Enclosure by Andy Goldsworthy (book review)

Andrew Shuping, Reviewer

Enclosure
Andy Goldsworthy
168 pages
Abrams Books (October 1, 2007)
English
0810993910
978-0810993914
http://tinyurl.com/5e6qex

Enclosure is the latest book collection of Andy Goldsworthy’s work. Goldsworthy is an ephemeral artist, who works with items in nature, such as rocks, leaves, snow, and even the rain as it falls on the ground. Since the majority of Goldsworthy’s art does not last long, the photographs in this book documents the work as it thought out and created, is the lasting impression of his work. Andy Goldsworthy lives and predominately works in the English country side and his work reflects his appreciation of the land that he lives in and its history.

While Enclosure repeats some of the work that can be found in Goldsworthy’s other book, Arch, Enclosure gives more details and insight into how Andy Goldsworthy plans his works and executes his sculptures. Enclosure focuses primarily on Goldsworthy’s project to recreate sheepfolds in Northwest England. Begun in 1995 and working on and off for more than a decade, he completed 35 of these folds. Not only did Goldsworthy rebuild many of these folds so that they could fulfill their intended purpose, but he also took into account the history of the land and its people in his shape and design. Folds were designed to take into account the shape and fold of the land, in some places incorporating trees and homes into their design. The reader sees the sketches and concept drawings of the folds, as well as photographs of them being created. Throughout the book is a diary like account of the construction and creation of these sculptures. This diary account gives great insight into the thought process of the artist at work and the planning of this monumental sculpture. The reader is privy to Goldsworthy’s innermost thoughts on the weather of the day and the process he undertakes.

Also included in the book is a collection of ephemeral works related to sheep. These ephemeral works are more typical of Andy Goldsworthy’s style. They include a series of sheep “paintings” made by the hoof-prints of sheep, a cairn created with sheep’s’ wool, and sculptures created with wet wool.

Enclosure typifies Goldsworthy’s books showcasing his thought process, sketches, and photographs of his work in process. It is a great addition to any fan of Andy Goldsworthy or of ephemeral art.

Available at libraries and bookstores here.

Andrew is a Librarian and artist with a background in Art Education & Art History.

An archive of Andrew's articles is located here.

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