Jim Allen

Light Modulator

Light Modulator by Jim Allen

Artwork Detail

Jim Allen’s sculpture was commissioned by Auckland Art Gallery’s Director Peter Tomory, for the Contemporary New Zealand Painting and Sculpture exhibition held in 1960, a year before Allen began teaching at Auckland’s Elam School of Art. During 1959, Allen assisted architect John Scott in planning Wellington’s Futuna Chapel. Both were fascinated with how space, mass, bulk and shade are transformed by light. They admired Le Corbusier’s 1954 Roman Catholic chapel in Ronchamp, France, where the building’s pierced walls cut into the structure’s volume. About this Allen commented:

"I decided to explore this further by making a sculpture allowing the penetration of light through a solid block. After viewing the result, John Scott subsequently commissioned me to design a light modulator for two large areas above the entrance door as a means of controlling the entry of light into the Futuna Chapel."

Title
Light Modulator
Artist/creator
Jim Allen
Production date
2012
Medium
fibreglass, acrylic paint
Dimensions
1500 x 500 x 250 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2013
Accession no
2013/2
Copyright
Copying restrictions apply
Department
New Zealand Art
Display status
Not on display

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