Another theme in his work is soft sculpture versions of everyday objects. I had never wondered how they were made, but it doesn’t surprise me, a woman can make amazing things with a sewing machine.ĭon’t forget to read about the other merry-go-round members’ inspiring artists! We are in different time zones, so if their post isn’t up yet, check back a little later.Claes Oldenburg (born January 28, 1929) is an American sculptor, best known for his public art installations typically featuring large replicas of everyday objects. I read recently that his first wife, Pat Muschinski, sewed many of his soft sculptures. I think as he ‘takes out’ the hard structure, he adds a bit of human softness and vulnerability. So what if it sags a bit so do humans sometimes. Of course he had to devise an inner structure of an armature and padding for the fan (so that it isn’t just a pile of black vinyl), almost like a human skeleton. He takes away the outer structure and the object seems to be melting on the spot. My favorites of his soft sculptures are the bathtub and the fan. for me it was the only way to make such an object interesting…make it huge! I remember seeing his giant typewriter eraser at the National Gallery in D.C. I love the humor and the sheer fun of his pieces. He manipulates size and/or structure and we can’t help but smile in front of his work.
His objects are everyday, but what I find amazing is the way he forces us to look at them differently. “Oh”, you might say, “the one who makes the giant soft sculptures of everyday objects?” That’s right! He was making my favorite pieces when I was a small girl, and I didn’t know who he was until I studied Art History.
The sacred quality speaks to me, brought up in a society where rampant consumerism was the highest ideal for many.īut if I had to name an individual artist whose work has held my ongoing attention ever since I first saw his work, it has to be the Swedish artist, Claes Oldenburg.
The Minoan snake goddess was my role model when I was at university! To name but a few. I could gaze forever at the ivory masks from Benin. I admire the sense of order and the technical mastery of the ancient Egyptians. Up this month: an artist that inspires us.įor me, it’s definitely ancient and non-western art which has affected my work the most. Here we are for this month’s merry-go-round topic, wherein eleven women take a look at the chosen topic, each one from her own personal angle.