Details

Object type

sculpture

Title

Ice Cream Paperweights

Artist/Maker

Scott Myles maker

Date

2002

Materials

bronze, cellulose paint

Description

Painted bronze sculpture 'Ice Cream Paperweights' 2002 by Scott Myles. 5 parts. Made of cast-bronze, painted to resemble scoops of strawberry, mint, vanilla and chocolate ice-cream.

After seeing David Hammond’s Bliz-aard Ball Sale (1983) - a photograph where Hammond is standing next to a blanket with snowballs of different sizes - Scott Myles was inspired with the idea that by documenting the performance with photographs, the inherently ephemeral snowballs changed to be a permanent element. In a similar sense, he explains, he ‘was interested in the idea of a scoop of ice cream functioning as a paperweight. It is ironic because ice cream melts.’

In 'Ice Cream Paperweights' 2002, Scott Myles uses a traditional casting technique to capture an ephemeral moment of spilt ice cream – making codified reference to art history, bronze memorials, creativity and pathos. The sculptures also connect with childhood, fun and creativity, being an object attractive not only as a sculpture in a gallery or museum collection but as for personal use, having a functional element as well. Eqaully as the editions of the artwork/paperweight were also sold commercially, they raise questions about how its value or function might differ within a private collection or public museum.

Credit Line/Donor

Bought by Glasgow Museums with assistance from Art Fund and funds from the National Collecting Scheme for Scotland, which was operated by Creative Scotland, in 2011

ID Number

S.450

Location

Gallery of Modern Art Gallery 4