About the work

Inspired by the evolution and ingenuity of biological lifeforms, James Capper’s MUDSKIPPER draws from the organic world to create a hybrid sculpture that challenges the limits between art and engineering. MUDSKIPPER is a fully-mobile and operational sculpture that uses two hydraulic legs and component TREADPAD feet to shift between aquatic and terrestrial environments, echoing the macro-ecological vaults made by early mudskippers, bravely leaping onto the terrain of a new and unknown world. James Capper’s drawings are an important part of this process. Through his sculpture's development Capper produces large numbers of drawings – from concept drawings (defining, developing and outlining new ideas for sculpture), technical drawings (line or filled-in drawings used to work out how the sculpture moves) to presentation drawings (spectacular, often large-scale coloured drawings showing the sculpture in its complete form) to in-action drawings (complex drawings showing the sculpture in movement across space and time). Evocative of odysseys such as Jodorowsky’s Dune (2014) or Terry Gilliam’s Lost in La Mancha (2003), these drawings present a distinct iconography and storyboard that articulates a gentle, progressive near-futurism; one that engages with essential questions concerning the relationship between the natural world, art and technology.

Date and country of birth

1987, GB>

About the artist

James Capper (b.1987, London) lives and works in London. Graduated from the Royal College of Art, London. Awards include the Royal Society of British Sculptors Bursary Award (2011).  Capper was also nominated for the Paul Hamlyn Visual Arts Awards, South Bank Sky Arts Awards and The Times Breakthrough Award (2015). Select solo exhibitions include Hydra Step & hydra Shuffle II, James Capper with Katzki, Broken Hill Regional Arts Centre, Broken Hill (2017); Faith & Fathom, Galleria Poggiali, Florence (2016); Earth Marking Expedition, Hannah Barry Gallery, London (2016); Mountaineer, Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York (2015); Tools of the Trade, Hannah Barry Gallery, London (2015); James Capper, Kirkaldy Testing Museum, London (2013); Divisions, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Yorkshire (2013); OFFSHORE, Tim Sheward Projects, London (2012); and Fleet, Hannah Barry Gallery, London (2011). Select group exhibitions include Drawing Biennial 2015, Drawing Room, London (2015); A Strong Affinity, Hannah Barry Gallery, London (2014); STEP/SHUFFLE, Art Basel, Hong Kong (2014); PeckhamNewYorkParis, Shoot the Lobster/Martos Gallery, New York (2013); Hydraulic Power Tools, The Armory Show, New York (2013); 20/12 London Art Now, National Trust, Lodge Park, Cheltenham (2012); and Pertaining to things natural, Chelsea Physic Garden, London (2012).