Sensory system

Touch

Temporality

The sensation is constant as it is being held, the sense of fragility, perhaps of the sandstone rubbing away moreso than fear of dropping it, reduces over time as I hold the item still.

Physical

Small, heavy, but at the same time fragile because of sandstone construction. Slightly rough in texture, but smoothed over time.

Relationships

• Visual

Sensory system

Sound

Temporality

<div class="evocative-info-item"> The sense of permanence in terms of where it is positioned, but equally ebbing and flowing through the day - periods when the space in which this is displayed are empty and quiet and other times when they are busy and loud. </div>

Physical

I might imagine the scene in a hall or refectory, perhaps in silence or peaceful contemplation. Alternatively, it might be in an area of hustle and bustle, thinking about spaces where busts are placed today – a place of reverence or a busy thoroughfare. Are people stopping and looking or rushing past? It seems to be either one or the other – quite often not even noticed at all, fading into the background. Interesting to contrast this with its life today, quietly resting in a museum storage box, locked away in darkness and invisible apart from the occasional opening to be rediscovered again.

Sensory system

Touch

Physical

<div class="evocative-info-item"> In terms of the physicality of the object itself, the vulnerability of sandstone makes me quite reluctant to hold it, not wanting to risk erasing the face of Dean Balsall. </div>

Sensory system

Visual

Physical

It is quite a simple sculpture, how true to life do you think Dean Balsall would find it? It is a good and obvious representation of him, is it recognizable? Looking at the downturned mouth I think about why this expression? Is it a function of the sculptor, or the material, or is this him. Is it a slightly disapproving look? Or just a stern one? Is it the burden of his role? Or is it simply a representation of a moustache or some other facial hair?

Emotional

<div class="evocative-info-item"> I think of parallels to the bust of Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church and questions about is it a good likeness? In that case I think yes it must be – people who knew Shakespeare knew that bust, it’s either from within his lifetime or very soon after, so the same must apply here. Whoever arranged for the bust of Dean Balsall to be made must have felt it was the best likeness they could get. The detail of the costume must reflect the robes worn in office and the shape and likeness of his face must be him. That then immediately transports me back 6 or 700 years, thinking about the unveiling of the bust, it being place somewhere in the college and the sense of celebration of his life (assuming, as I do, that it was commissioned after his death) and reverence with which he was held. Did everyone who served in that capacity have such a bust and we only have this surviving one, or was it even more unusual and exceptional than that? </div>