Apples, Pear, Fruit by Jane Rickards, Stone, Edition Large, 60cm high by 50cm wide by 50cm deep, Food, Nature, Other sculpture

Apples, Pear, Fruit by Jane Rickards celebrates everyday nourishment by elevating edible objects into finely carved stone. Rather than exaggerating form or straying into abstraction, Rickards embraces realism. She studies the curves, stems, and surface textures of apples and pears, then translates them into a durable, sculptural cluster. Her choice to carve fruit, something soft, fleeting, and easily bruised, into solid stone immediately shifts the viewer’s perception. As a result, these familiar items become symbols of longevity rather than temporary pleasures.

Measuring 60 cm high and 50 cm wide and deep, the sculpture carries a strong presence without overwhelming its surroundings. Each piece of fruit rests in a gentle arrangement, as if someone has just placed them on a table. Yet, the stone medium introduces a sense of permanence. The polished surfaces catch light with delicate highlights, while subtle dimples and natural imperfections evoke organic realism. Consequently, the fruit appears tempting and tactile, though undeniably immovable.

Furthermore, Rickards’ attention to proportion gives the work warmth and honesty. The apples feel weighty, and the pears tilt naturally, suggesting their distinct shapes and densities. This careful observation echoes traditional still-life paintings, but Rickards transforms the genre into three dimensions. Instead of offering a temporary glimpse of fruit before it spoils, she preserves it, inviting viewers to appreciate its form again and again.

The sculpture speaks to the bounty of nature and the human impulse to preserve what nourishes us. By carving fragile produce into enduring stone, Rickards turns simple food into an object of contemplation. Thus, Apples, Pear, Fruit honours both realism and reverence, reminding us that beauty often lies in the most ordinary subjects.