Tag Archives: #sculpture

Ilhwa Kim

May 5, 2021 12:03 AM \

You have to really get up close to truly appreciate the work of Seoul-based artist Ilhwa Kim. Her work is a spectacular example of contemporary Asian art blending sculpture with painting. Each piece is created through the meticulous process of hand dyeing, cutting and rolling of mulberry paper into unique ‘seeds’. These seeds are then used in their hundreds and thousands to create intricate patterns.  On an interview with Interlocutor she says this about her work:  

“I take it for granted to categorize my work as a “sculpture,” not because of the appearance but because of the working process. In painting, basically the materials are given. However, in my process, all the materials begin from scratch and are ‘‘sculpted” from scratch in various ways. The paper itself has our studio-specific formula — how the paper has to be composed during its manufacture. Every single thing has its own unique process regarding dyeing material, cutting processes involving heavy machines, custom frames, etc.”

“Many paper or textile artists finish their works in gradual steps based on the initial sketch. The process cannot allow sudden bold turns in the middle steps. My studio runs the process in a complete opposite way. In order to give complete freedom during the middle stages of production until completion, all paper units stay unglued until final stage. They can be rearranged or removed or height adjusted whenever needed. The process allows bold changes to be made even when we are very close to final stage.”

More of her work can be viewed on her website and on Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Ilhwa Kim.

Posted in: Paper, Sculpture \ Tagged: ,

Willy Verginer

April 21, 2021 12:03 AM \

Willy Verginer is an Italian contemporary artist and sculptor who lives and works in Ortisei, Italy.  He attended the Art Institute of Ortisei, where he studied painting and after graduation, worked in various wood sculpture studios in Val Gardena. He creates figurative wood sculptures, drawing inspiration from the arresting nature surrounding him and the fragility of our environment. On an interview with City Code he says this about the affect of his work location:

“The area I live in is indeed very beautiful. In my work, I see two sources of influence that remind me of home. The first is wood, my raw material. In my area there is a long tradition of using wood in architecture as well as in artistic handicraft. I grew up in an area where there is a long tradition of wood carving. In 1700 there were already many artists and shops that created wonderful baroque artworks. In 1800, Val Gardena was the greatest centre of religious wood carving. That’s how I learned the art of carving wood in my valley. The second source of influence is the environmental issue. Living in an area where the beauty of nature is really dominant, it was obvious that one of my themes would be overexploitation and destruction of nature. Had I lived in a big city, my expression would have definitely been much different.”

More of his work can be viewed on his website, Facebook and Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Willy Verginer.

Posted in: Sculpture, Wood \ Tagged: ,

Joana Vasconcelos

April 8, 2021 12:03 AM \

Joana Vasconcelos is a Portuguese artist known for her large-scale installations.  She was born in Paris in 1971 and currently lives and works in Lisbon.  Aside for her installations she has also created a series of wrapped animals blanketed with delicate patterns of handmade cotton crochet and lace.  And as the artist says “are ambiguously imprisoned/protected by a second-skin in crochet-work.”  She has exhibited regularly since the mid-1990s. In 2012 she was the first female artist to have an exhibit at the Chateau de Versailles. On an interview with Wallpaper she says this about artists who influenced her:  

 “I am influenced by any artist that transforms my way of looking at the world. It doesn’t matter if you like it or not, it’s how it affects you and how it will rock your world. That’s what artists do, they give you a perspective, by writing a book, singing a song, by dancing, they create a window so others can look at the world from a different angle. I really like Louise Bourgeois, yes, but then I also like someone that I’d never heard of in Mexico. David Bowie changed my world, but not all music by David Bowie. If I could send a piece of music to the moon it would be Heroes. David was quite right; you can be a hero, even if it’s just for one day.”

More of her work can be viewed here on her website.

Images:  Courtesy of Joana Vasconcelos

Posted in: Crochet, Sculpture \ Tagged: ,
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