Seth Draper
Prospect Cottage with Gulls Automata
Seth Draper makes a mixture of automata, three-dimensional pictures and sculptures inspired by the sea and coastline. His work is made using mostly driftwood, reclaimed timber, recycled tin cans and any bits of flotsam and jetsam he finds; even the Automata mechanisms are built using largely reclaimed timber or metal. Most mechanisms are built with a system of trial and error.
Seth grew up on the East Coast and spent many happy days taking in the delights of the seaside, crabbing at Walberswick harbour, sandcastles on Southwold beach and of course paddling in the bitter cold North Sea. Being surrounded by derelict fishing boats, old beach huts and fishermen’s sheds was the perfect backdrop for a day of adventure at the beach.
Having moved to Cardiff for University Seth’s beachcombing continued, developing a love for the bits of driftwood with flaky paint and rusty patina that washed up on the rocky coastline. At University he began to make playful ceramic boats and sculptural pieces inspired by the coast.
His work has a whimsical quality that reflects the British seaside, but due to the reclaimed materials it also has a timeworn quality inspired by the scenes that left an indelible mark on his youth.
Newport
How was this made?
More from Seth…
Read about Seth’s piece, Pioneer (also on display in KINETIC), made in loving memory of his father.