artsy forager

Category: Sculpture

  • Ceremonial Garb: Amy Boone McCreesh

    Ceremonial Garb: Amy Boone McCreesh

    When it comes to ceremonies and celebrating, it seems like here in the US, our traditions are pretty mundane.  Where are all the costumes and displays?  For many other cultures, milestones are met with ritual and fanfare. Baltimore artist Amy Boone McCreesh explores that relationship between exhibition and ephemera in her sculptural work.

    McCreesh_Bliss McCreesh_Pinwheel McCreesh_Maximal Mermaid Mirror McCreesh_Green Shift McCreesh_Garlands and Totems

    Crafted from cut paper, ribbons, sequins, found objects, you name it– these sculptures are teeming with texture, color, and movement.  Reminding us of maypoles, leis, and exploded pinatas, they are contemporary interpretations of ancient traditions.

    To see more of the work of Amy Boone McCreesh, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

     

  • Artsy Lately: Margie Livingston

    Artsy Lately: Margie Livingston

    As artists, we are pretty obsessed with our materials and mediums.  Photographers baby their cameras and lenses, sculptors take precious care of their tools.  And painters, well, we love paint– the way it smells, the way it looks, the way it behaves.  Seattle artist Margie Livingston, whom we last heard from in October 2012 during her run as Featured Artist, has been continuing her own wild love affair with the properties of paint.

    Margie Livingston | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #paintings Margie Livingston | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #paintings Margie Livingston | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #paintings Margie Livingston | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #paintings Margie Livingston | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #paintings

     

    Stretching, pulling, carving, slicing, dicing, Livingston pushes paint to its ever expanding limits.  This latest group of work seems to have an elegant electricity about it, in the juxtapositions of graphic black & white against super charged neon purples and pinks.  Then she spins that on its head with her gloriously shroud-like draped paint sculptures.

    Poured, Sliced, and Draped, a show of Margie Livingston’s latest work, opens at Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle today, with the opening reception taking place during First Thursday on June 5th.  If you’re in Seattle, don’t miss her Artist Talk this Saturday, at 11:30am, see the Greg Kucera site for details!  Aaaah, some days I really miss Seattle.

    And of course, be sure to check out Margie Livingston’s website for more of her work.

    Top, second & fifth image via the artist’s website.  Other images via the Greg Kucera website.

  • Puffball Bonsai: Alexandra Gjurasic

    Puffball Bonsai: Alexandra Gjurasic

    I am loving these little Puffball Bonsai sculptures by Alexandra Gjurasic.  They make me happy with their colorful stripes and cotton candy poufs.  I could just leave it at that.  But I like to take things a little deeper.  They’re fun and completely awesome, but what are they saying to me, besides let’s play?

    Alexandra Gjurasic | artsy forager #art #artists #drawing #sculpture Alexandra Gjurasic | artsy forager #art #artists #drawing #sculpture Alexandra Gjurasic | artsy forager #art #artists #drawing #sculpture Alexandra Gjurasic | artsy forager #art #artists #drawing #sculpture Alexandra Gjurasic | artsy forager #art #artists #drawing #sculpture

    The high level of artificiality mixed with the traditional china pot speaks to me of the pet-like nature of Bonsai’s.  They are high maintenance mini-trees cultivated mainly as a form of meditation and expression of creativity on the part of the caregiver.  They seem, to me, to be like pet trees.  Gjurasic is taking that idea even further by “dressing them up” in colorful stripes and glittery flowers.  It’s interesting to think about flowers and houseplants in this way– these living things, which thrive in their own natural environment, cut down or cultivated in order to give us pleasure.

    Oh and Gjurasic’s trees also spun off paintings, which are almost as enchanting!  To see more of Alexandra Gjurasic‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Earthly Balance: Hannah Chalew

    Earthly Balance: Hannah Chalew

    This planet we live on is an incredible example of a delicate balancing.  I’m always amazed to read stories about the ripple effect one tiny plant or micro organism may have on an entire eco-culture.  Often it is man whose hand begins the tidal wave.  In her work, New Orleans artist Hannah Chalew explores the tenuous relationship between nature and the built environment.

    Hannah Chalew | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #mixedmedia Hannah Chalew | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #mixedmedia Hannah Chalew | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #mixedmedia Hannah Chalew | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #mixedmedia Hannah Chalew | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #mixedmedia

     

    Hannah Chalew | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #mixedmedia

    Much like the work of Jess Riva Cooper, Chalew examines the idea of the built environment being overtaken and pushed back to the earth.  So often it is man and his development that does the encroaching, providing an interesting juxtaposition when plant life is given the opportunity to reclaim what was.

    To see more of Hannah Chalew‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Overtaken: Jess Riva Cooper

    Overtaken: Jess Riva Cooper

    While we were hiking last weekend, Mr. F & I spotted something we’d never quite seen before.  We’re familiar with nurse logs, but noticed several trees whose roots had grown over and around a fallen redwood.  In her Viral Series, Toronto artist Jess Riva Cooper explores ideas of environmental impact and change as flora overtakes the human face.

    Jess Riva Cooper | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture Jess Riva Cooper | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture Jess Riva Cooper | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture Jess Riva Cooper | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture Jess Riva Cooper | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture

    It has always amazed and intrigued me the way we build things up, yet nature always finds a way to inhabit and continue on its own journey.  From the spider taking up residence in the smallest corner of the bathroom, to abandoned buildings through which vines and trees have grown, try as we might to prevent it, nature takes what is needed.  How much more would we live in harmony if we simply left things alone or provided nature a place to thrive among us?  Something to ponder over your weekend, dear Artsies.

    If you’d like to see more work by Jess Riva Cooper, be sure to check out her website.

    All images via the artist’s website.  Artist found via Colossal.

  • Shannon Sullivan

    Shannon Sullivan

    There are small, recurring moments in our marriage that make my heart swell.  Every night when Mr. F offers me a piece of chocolate after dinner, hidden love notes, and when while we’re in a gallery, Mr. F calls me over and says “Did you see this?!”  Recently while we made a quick unplanned tour of a gallery here in Eureka, we came across this artist’s work and both immediately loved it.  Eureka artist Shannon Sullivan creates these incredible ceramic forms, taking cues from nature yet remaining completely modern and compelling.

    Shannon Sullivan | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics Shannon Sullivan | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics Shannon Sullivan | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics Shannon Sullivan | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics Shannon Sullivan | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics

    The artist’s website is filled with incredible work– I seriously had such a hard time choosing what to feature– but felt the most drawn to her Plots series.  The series is based on ideas of land use and cultivation inspired by a trip to South America.  Soft looking ceramic forms are adorned with acrylic or polymer clay shapes, a nod to the effect of man’s hand on the natural environment.  The result is striking, engaging pieces that are visually intriguing even without knowing their reference.

    To see more work by Shannon Sullivan, please visit her website— there is so much more to see!!  Not just incredible sculptures, but wonderful wall pieces as well.

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Fiber Loves: Juliet Martin

    Fiber Loves: Juliet Martin

    Mr. F and I have known each other a long time.  We were friends from way back before we became Mr. & Mrs.  Long enough and well enough to know each other’s exes.  We often speculate on what our lives had we stayed with our former loves ( and thankful each day things turned out the way they did!! ).  In her Men I Have Known series, New York artist Juliet Martin crafts woven textile sculptures, each representing a different lover.

    Juliet Martin | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #textiles Juliet Martin | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #textiles Juliet Martin | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #textiles Juliet Martin | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #textiles Juliet Martin | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #textiles

    In these colorful, playful phalluses ( I didn’t immediately see the phallic quality to some, but then I can be pretty naive like that.. ), the artist, according to her website, is satirizing the idea of man as conqueror and possessor of sexual power.  Instead, she’s creating her own “trophies”, bedpost notches, if you will.  At first glance, the viewer would have no idea the meaning behind these pieces but the mystery is half the fun, yes? 😉

    To see more of Juliet Martin‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images via the artist’s website.

  • Fantastical Specimens: Susan Beiner

    Fantastical Specimens: Susan Beiner

    Now that Spring is here and we are eager to explore our new spot, Mr. Forager & I have been getting back into a regular hiking routine, weather permitting, we are out on the trails every Saturday.  One of my absolute favorite things about hiking is the chance to marvel at the natural world just outside our back door.  Every hike is filled with wonder and discovery.  Perhaps that’s what has drawn me to the work of today’s artist.  The ceramic sculptures of Susan Beiner are bursting with organic whimsy, making me want to peer closer to take it all in.

    Susan Beiner | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics Susan Beiner | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics Susan Beiner | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics Susan Beiner | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics Susan Beiner | artsy forager #art #artists #sculpture #ceramics

    Clusters and orbs remind me of the mussels and anemones that we delighted in among the tide pools along the beaches in Trinidad this weekend.  Each piece seems teeming with life, ready to explode with movement at any second.  All the nooks and crannies, where there may be hiding a new shape, a new creature to be discovered.  These pieces are like the best of hikes– there is always something new to see and each glance leaves us looking forward to the next discovery.

    To see more of Susan Beiner‘s work, please visit her website.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Lavish Simplicty: Miya Ando

    Lavish Simplicty: Miya Ando

    As many artists know, much of the time, art making is a matter of knowing when enough is enough.  Or even when enough is just a bit too much.  In her work, New York artist Miya Ando is creating pure moments of simply just enough.

    Miya Ando | artsy forager #art #paintings #sculpture #abstract Miya Ando | artsy forager #art #paintings #sculpture #abstract Miya Ando | artsy forager #art #paintings #sculpture #abstract Miya Ando | artsy forager #art #paintings #sculpture #abstract

    Miya Ando | artsy forager #art #paintings #sculpture #abstract

    By working in a process in which she hand-dyes metallic surfaces, Ando creates pieces with an incredible sense of stillness and light.  Translucent layers of color reflect not just the light without but the light within.  By keeping the compositions simple, the work is free from distraction, allowing the viewer to fall into its spell, to meditate on the purity of color and transformative power of light.

    To see more of Miya Ando‘s work, please visit her website and be sure to follow her on Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram.

    Here the artist speak about her work in this video interview–

    Teaser – MIYA ANDO from Tricycle on Vimeo.

    All images are via the artist’s website.

  • Of Branches and Beings: Lisa Kokin

    Of Branches and Beings: Lisa Kokin

    Hmm.. It would seem I’m having a thing for books and cowboys this week.  Let’s just go with it, ‘kay?  I had a different artist planned for today, but sometimes, I’m just not feeling it, so I go into my Pinterest archives to see what might strike my fancy a little, um, fancier.  And these sewn sculptures by Lisa Kokin got me excited.

    Lisa Kokin | artsy forager #art #sculpture

    Lisa Kokin | artsy forager #art #sculpture Lisa Kokin | artsy forager #art #sculpture Lisa Kokin | artsy forager #art #sculpture

    Lisa Kokin | artsy forager #art #sculpture

    The artist has taken old pulp cowboy novels and transformed them into organic branches and beings.  Cowboy culture has been such a prominent and accepted part of American history, pop culture elevating the cowboy as hero throughout the mid-twentieth century, it isn’t any wonder the gun totin’ good-guy mentality has permeated the minds of so many.  Kokin is taking a stereotypically male culture and fusing it with a stereotypical female craft by taking apart these books and sewing them together.  It is interesting to think of the young boys who once held these books and played the cowboy role.  Have their lives transformed?  Or are they still playing cowboy?

    To see more of the work of Lisa Kokin, please visit her website.  Lisa’s work can currently be seen in Women’s Work at Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley, CA through March 30th.

    Images via the artist’s website.