ART SPEAK
Unconventional is the new conventional for these 5 unusual artists
Works of five artists who dare believe in breaking the rules of traditional and conventional art. They believe that the art world is beyond ink and paint. Presenting the most unique pieces of art that defy logical thinking
What attracted you to take up sculpture and installations as a medium?
The overabundance of manufactured objects and the creation of ready-made goods seem to replace the idea of inheritance of objects. The demand to look new and have new things, suggested a new consumer definition of packaging of self. I am attracted towards making things out of these rejected older objects, materials in combination with the new to produce a complex vocabulary.
What’s so special about the medium?
The medium is very personal. It’s like touching the hearts of the people. It gives a sense of belonging.
Working with the medium?
It’s not easy working with any medium. Different mediums have varied challenges. I believe, if you have the patience, you simply can overcome any challenge and work with mediums you like. Likewise, challenges add to the value of my work.
Advice to artists considering to work with this medium?
Never to underestimate the power of the used goods market.
Your future plans?
A solo project at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. A solo in Tokyo in January 2017 at the OTA Gallery and a solo in Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco, California, USA.
What attracted you to take up film strips and obsolete technology as a medium?
I grew up using these materials and have experienced directly the extent of how they have been changed by the digital revolution. Aesthetically, these old materials have an interesting charm and unique history of their own. Obsolescence somehow captures the passing of time and in a way it touches so many aspects of our lives.
What’s so special about the medium?
In my opinion, film negatives are an iconic medium and neatly represent a significant part of our shift from analogue into the digital world. Now that the world has moved into digital image making, I wanted to focus on that movement, as I feel that part of the job of the artist is to describe the culture and feeling of the present time.
Working with the medium?
It’s not straightforward to work with these materials as they have variable surfaces. As a result I have become much more interested in tone now, as the film has an opaque quality to it. I’m often layering the negatives and using light and dark to create the contrast within the work.
Advice to artists considering to work with this medium?
Explore other mediums that mean something to them personally. If they want to use the same materials that I do, then they run the risk of creating something that may not be as original or innovative. Find an object that means something to you and also find a unique way to work with it.
Your future plans?
In January 2017 and February 2017, I will be showcasing my works at Palm Beach and Art Wynwood Art Fairs with Robert Fontaine Gallery. After that I will be in the studio developing some new concepts.
What attracted you to take up toothpick as a medium?
I first picked up toothpick as a medium 36 years ago as part of an art class to build a small tower. I thought it was like a tiny 2x4 piece of wood, and I just slammed them all together - it fascinated me, and I started designing my own Japanese pagodas, and intricate temples.
What’s so special about the medium?
I’m always amazed that something as simple as a toothpick can make such complex temples and mighty towers. I use tiny toothpicks to create a ‘ Toothpick World’ - everything from tiny flying buttresses and minarets, to giant 16 foot towers. All of them made with the same simple toothpick.
Working with the medium?
Toothpicks are made out of wood - a living medium that reacts to temperature and humidity. I prefer a polyvinyl acetate glue that does the same and only bonds to porous fibers like wood (not plastic). That means I can use plastic moulds to help me get the shape I need. Be careful when the glue dries (because it tightens), which can be good or bad depending on what you need.
Advice to artists considering to work with this medium?
My advice to anyone thinking about working with toothpicks is to just try it. Like anything else in life, the best teacher is practice, and mistakes are a big part of learning. Toothpicks are an amazing medium, especially for recreating architecture.
Your future plans?
My future plans are to stay under the radar, so I can continue to re-build the world out of toothpicks. I can’t handle big exhibits right now. I enjoy the small museums as they appreciate the detail and oddity of it all. My exhibits have an element of inclusion, acceptance, and curiosity.
What attracted you to take up threads as a medium?
I have been working on the concept of threads over the last 10-12 years. I had begun collaging them on canvas. The concept of my work helps me choose my medium and not vice versa. The medium was always a tool, which helped express my thought with clarity.
What’s so special about the medium?
A medium is very important for any artist, because it brings out a lot of hidden possibilities for an artist. After I began engaging myself with threads, large scale sculptures challenged my entire concept and subverted the meaning completely so a medium can take on its own proportion.
Working with the medium?
I often take a long time understanding the medium before creating a work with it. Many times a medium is not correct for what you want to express, so the choice of the medium is very crucial. I am very critical of my faults. I am often challenged by my sculptures in terms of storage as they are really huge, they are difficult to manage and store.
Advice to artists considering to work with this medium?
Follow your heart and instinct. Work on your concepts to understand what you should be doing. Don’t blindly use a medium without understanding why you want to work with that particular medium.
Your future plans?
I am presently working towards creating art works for my upcoming solo shows.
What attracted you to take up textures and character as a medium?
I have closely worked with folk and tribal crafts all over India for over two decades. I strongly feel that the national identity is rooted in its indigenous people and their expressions. I am attracted to the word ‘identity’ – that’s why I took upon textures and character as my medium to represent art.
What’s so special about the medium?
I am driven by material that have textures and character. The work is mostly derived by the medium I am using and it’s symbolic medium to my context of thoughts. The medium could be goat skin, latex cords, steel wire... anything that gets my attention.
Working with the medium?
I take a medium, and explore its optimum use and properties. It’s always a tough challenge to achieve the end result; that’s why for me the ‘thought process’ for every and any medium that I work with is very important.
Advice to artists considering to work with this medium?
Expand as much in your vision. Don’t restrict yourself to any one medium. Cross boundaries and explore the potentials of other mediums also.
Your future plans?
I will be curating a residency in Odisha with 10 contemporary artists, 10 folk and tribal artists and their raw material.