Work by Cesar Cornejo showcased at this year’s Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Show
A sculpture by multidisciplinary artist Dr Cesar Cornejo is one of the exhibits at this year’s Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Show which opened in London last weekend.
The Royal Society of Sculptors was founded more than 100 years ago and aims to champion contemporary sculpture and the artists who create it remain true today. As an artist-led membership organisation, it supports and connects sculptors throughout their careers.
Running from 20 July to 21 September at the Royal Society of Sculptors’ Dora House in London, this year’s Summer Show includes work by over 40 members and fellows of the society.
This theme for 2024 is Reality Check selected by guest curator David McAlmont, a recording artiste, art historian and tutor at the Architectural Association Interprofessional studio.
Cesar Cornejo. Photo © University of Leeds.
Dr Cesar Cornejo is an Associate Professor in Fine Art in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Sculptors.
Cesar is an interdisciplinary artist and activist, and his work explores the relationship between art, architecture and society. He has been influenced by the experience of living and working in Peru, Japan, England and the USA, and is the founder of Puno MoCA.
Cesar’s terracotta sculpture Trepanation V (2021) has been selected to feature in this year’s Summer Show. Cesar said:
“Trepanation V is one of a series of works which use elongated skulls as a representation of the human aspect of migration while – through the sombre connotation of the skull – also addressing the risks and dangers implied.
“These sculptures are made of ceramics in direct reference to the ceramic’s legacy of pre-Hispanic cultures and use a brick texture in direct reference to the raw architecture found in shanty-towns in Latin America.
Cesar Cornejo, Trepanation V (2021). Terracotta, 30.5 x 20.3 x 24 cm. Image courtesy of the artist.
“I have been interested for a long time in the elongated skulls from the Peruvian pre-Hispanic culture named Paracas, as representations of issues related to migration, identity and social inequality in Peru and Latin America.
“In particular I use them in direct reference to Lima, the overpopulated capital of Peru. Lima is the place where most migrants from the countryside move to seeking access to work and better services like health, education and transport. These are not available in many regions of the countryside, especially those which are the most isolated.
“I also make reference to the trepanations that many of those skulls were subject to; to represent the way in which migrants are influenced by the capital city when they move in, and also the way the capital city is influenced by them, redefining it.
“The Royal Society of Sculptors was one of the first places where I found a supportive sense of community when I first moved to London in 2003. It is always an honour to be selected to participate in any of their events including the current Summer Show.”
Cesar Cornejo's sculpture Trepanation V on display at the Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Show, 2024.
More information
The Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Show runs from 20 July to 21 September 2024 at Royal Society of Sculptors, 108 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RA. The exhibition is free and open from 11 to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Full details can be found on the Royal Society of Sculptors website.
Find out more about Dr Cesar Cornejo.
Read an essay by curator David McAlmont about the show.
Feature image
Detail from Cesar Cornejo’s Trepanation V (2021), Terracotta, 30.5 x 20.3 x 24 cm. Photo courtesy the artist.
