Artists directory

Jay

Rubinstein

Disciplines: Sculpture

Location: Nr Kirkcudbright

Materials: Woodwork
Most of my mobiles are inspired by poems, songs, or fragments of folklore. As each piece and the viewer move, shapes align and separate, shadows overlap, and meanings shift. They are delicate-looking structures which are far stronger than they look. Crafted from natural wood veneers, they are explorations of balance — between structure and freedom, between narrative and contemplation. They move in light air currents, revealing shifting shapes and shadows that aim to tell a story of their own. Although rooted in narrative, the works are equally about stillness. Their calm, floating presence encourages the viewer to pause and observe. People tell me that they can lose themselves watching them move. My mobiles have been exhibited in public settings including Dumfries Museum, and the Kirkcudbright Galleries and my work is also represented on the Crafts Council Directory, Visual Arts Scotland and Craft Scotland. Currently there are five galleries with examples of my work across the country. The same laminated veneer techniques that allow for small pieces suitable for domestic settings can be expanded into installations several metres wide. I would welcome commissions of all sizes from people with a specific idea for their home to opportunities for collaboration with architects, interior designers, and arts consultants. It’s hard to get a proper idea of the mobiles from still images. Videos of some of them can be found on my website or on my YouTube channel

Previous Experience

May – September 2019 – Modern Makers – Kirkcudbright Galleries November 2019 – present – Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright Spring 2020 – Spring Fling Open Studios Spring 2021 – Spring Fling August 2021 – present – The Old Courthouse Gallery, Ambleside November 2021 – Upland Winter Art and Craft Easterbrook, Dumfries Spring 2022 – Spring Fling May 2022 – Biscuit Factory (Upland Celebration) Newcastle November 2022 – Upland Made Dumfries December 2022 -3D2D show Edinburgh May 2023 – Spring Fling November 2023 Upland Made Dumfries April 2024 – present “The Old Schoolhouse Gallery” Muker May 2024 Living Crafts at Hatfield Park, May 2024 Spring Fling November 2024 Upland Made Dumfries January – March 2025 “Upland Decade” – Kirkcudbright Galleries March 2025 Cheltenham Craft Festival, Cheltenham May 2025 Living Crafts at Hatfield Park, May 2025 Spring Fling June 2025 Great Northern Contemporary Crafts, Newcastle October 2025 Upland Made Easterbrook, Dumfries

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