N a r r a t i v e s    i n    W o o d

By

Divya Agrawal 

 

 

Nature continues to fascinate me. More than ever now, with both my little ones taking keen interest in all things natural around them - flowers, bird songs, leaves and trees. The other day, the peeling brown bark of a palm tree that resembled gunny bag fabric was a world of wonder to them, and me. 

Elements of nature are unique, in their texture, feel and appearance. The differences may be subtle, but each piece of wood carries a story, is a witness to many events that you or I may not have touched upon. Our featured artist today, Marc Bourlier is an Artist and Sculptor based in France who works with driftwood and linen thread to create narratives in wood.

Look closely and you can interpret a story in each sculpture.

"A person is a person, no matter how small" says Dr. Suess. So true, for much like the colony/ society of any living species, every figure has a unique and indispensable place in each of Marc's compositions. 

 

The faces immediately strike you - gnarled, withered, some stoic others filled with wonder. 

Marc deftly uses his material of choice and exploits its qualities to the fullest to create variations required for these narratives.

Tall and short, leaning in, forlorn, together - a composite expression created through placement of figures.

Marc's work is also a showcase of the multitude of expressions possible using a single medium and vocabulary.

I was reading Roald Dahl's 'The BFG' the other day (Yes, on my daughter's insistence!) and some of these sculptures reminded me of the story of Sophie and the friendly Giant :) Is the Giant carrying the humans to safety, or has he already gobbled them up? Is it hope that towers above all; is it love that keeps us going and binds us together? Are we a small part of the very large Universe, and, Nature encompasses all? One can interpret these sculptures to mean so much..

As I, as an artist, continue to explore human behavior and linked patterns, I find Marc's work very interesting. These sculptures offer a peep into individual traits while being portrayed as a group. There are individuals that stand out, or,  there may be one that determines the direction of the rest. Some seem to dominate, at other places lead. And then there are pieces where one finds a multitude of personalities, yet, it appears to be an ordinary 'group'.

The pieces above portray family / community for sure - together in a shelter, shared emotions and resources.

 

I have fallen in love with Marc Bourlier's Art and skill - of putting together pieces of driftwood to create sculpture that grips you, forces you to think, introspect and marvel. Hope you too share some of these emotions :)

Images: Marc Bourlier

 

Text & creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat  ( www.onthedesignboat.com ) 

 

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F R O Z E N  

by Hina Nitesh

No, this post is not about the movie but something equally interesting and captivating. How many times have you looked at waves and wondered if they could be put on hold? This week onthedesignboat is Graham Muir. The name might not be familiar to many but a look at his works and you will not forget him, that is a promise.

After teaching hot glass at Sunderland University for 9 years, Graham Muir established his studio in 1999 to make 'beautiful' glass. By his own definition beauty is not that which just attracts a viewer but that which keeps the viewer hooked. And he has surely been able to capture 'beauty' in his sculptures.

Coming back to the frozen wave question that I asked in the beginning -  Graham Muir's sculptures seem to capture that moment in time when that wave is frozen. To me it feels as if the glass waves will continue their motion the moment that split second in time is over. This lends the pieces a sense of delicateness and there is an ethereal quality about them. As the artist himself says, these pieces “convey both the beauty but also the often-frightening power of nature.”

Needless to say Graham Muir's work is not conventional. Departing from traditional handling of glass, Muir has over the years experimented and discovered a style which is unique to him.

Be it the wave sculptures or the scent bottles, they leave you mesmerized and wanting more. The artist has displayed his works are exhibition round the globe and also won many awards which recognize his creative genius.

Leaving you with some of the exquisite pieces from the artist's collection. 

For more details log on his website.

S C U L P T U R A L     F A B R I C

Text: Hina Nitesh
 

In the hands of textile designer Deepa Panchamia, the traditional two dimensional fabric gets an unconventional three dimensional form. The British Indian textile artist uses simple techniques like pleating and creating pockets to manipulate the fabric. The complex geometry that results unwittingly creates smoothly flowing forms which is a hallmark of all of the artist's creations. 

Deepa graduated in constructed textiles from the Nottingham Trent University. For her, fabric is not just for making clothes but a medium for space, form and structural explorations. 

Deepa's work transcends the boundaries of 'sculptural' to become one-of-a-kind. Each piece explores the female form and attempts to enhance it.

Her portfolio of works includes, sculptures, installations as well as garments fashioned out of fabric.

The bridal gown, above, is a mosaic of techniques employed to create an exquisite piece.

Each piece is handmade and therefore each piece is different. Panchamia's creations are meant to be looked at and appreciated as works of art but are not really wearable.

She also uses the fabric for creating sculptures and installations which are a study in the interplay of light and shadows on the surface. 

Most of the designer's works are in white and shades of white as she feels that 'colours can be distracting'. It is with the neutral palette that the light and form of the fabric is best appreciated. She uses organza, cotton, linen etc for her work.

                                                    You can explore Deepa Panchamia's works and technique on her website 

All Images: Copyright Deepa Panchamia unless captioned otherwise

Text & creative layout copyrights: Onthedesignboat   

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M o u l d i n g    w i t h    P a p e r

Text: Divya Agrawal

A feature on Mary Button Durell's Paper Sculptures is a happy start to 2015 for us at On the Design Boat. Enigmatic, organic, multi faceted, complex, deep are some of the qualities evident in this San Francisco based artist's work - qualities that we also look forward to showcasing in our features in this new year.

Paper is the most basic of materials. A material that on the surface seems to have limited obvious use. One look at Durell's sculptures instantly transforms our notions of what can be achieved with this material.

Image: inthemake.com

Mary uses tracing paper and wheat paste to create most of her work. Her sculptures are organic in form, twisting and binding to create amoeba like organisms. 

One gets to see an experimental and an experiential approach towards material and form in these paper sculptures. The fact that the Durell is testing and pushing boundaries with her chosen material is very evident in the way she has created widely varying forms.

"I like the challenge of pushing the limits with one material, it forces you to always think about what’s next and how to continue to reshape, redirect and transform that chosen material. I have an interesting and long-term relationship with this paper, and when you work in tandem with your materials and with such intimacy, the give and take is an important part of the work." Mary Button Durell via inthemake.com

A sublime palette of colors adds an enchanting, ethereal quality to these works. At a glance, it is difficult to believe that paper can contain so much - strength, solidity & fluidity, translucence & opaqueness....

 

"Fundamental ideas explored in my work relate mostly to the mysterious quality of translucency— the ways in which diffusion of information, lack of clarity and distinction can pull you in and stimulate questions and curiosity.....

.....I’m drawn to the questions that layers bring up and the possibilities for meaning, whether it’s single layers or multilayers. There is so much to consider: the extent of layering (psychological and physiological), the realities underneath, the history, the texture, the thickness, the construction, and how to uncover those layers. Themes of contrasting forces also carry through my work: fragility and strength, opacity and translucence, heaviness and lightness."Mary Button Durell via inthemake.com

Image: inthemake.com

These are some visuals from Mary's studio - a veritable smorgasbord of ideas & experimentation!

Image: inthemake.com

"....But of course inspiration comes in all ways. I stop. I sit, observe, absorb, and look closely and slowly at objects. I follow contours on the pavement during a slow paced walk. I pay attention to negative space, the space around, the gap, the mistakes, and the discarded. I get out the magnifying glass, I rotate, I nap. Travel, libraries, dancing, music, maps, hardware stores, my artist friends, huge gut-ripping roaring laughs— all of it inspires me, everything, the full catastrophe." Mary Button Durell via inthemake.com

Aptly said Mary - an artist absorbs everything and these experiences become tools. Here's wishing all a happy year ahead of more listening, absorbing, observing and creating!!

See more of Mary's work and the process involved on her website. 

All Images: Copyright Mary Button Durell unless captioned otherwise

Text & creative layout copyrights: Onthedesignboat   

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S n i p p e t * 14     ' P l a y f u l '   S c u l p t u r e s

Text: Divya Agrawal

A successful attempt at bringing art into public spaces. 

This sculpture is sited at the waterfront of Lake Ontario in Kingston, Canada and constantly invites the attention of tiny tots. 

Gazing onto the water beyond from a sculpted perch, an invitation to play hide and seek, a test of climbing skills and the simple joy of appreciating art while enjoying a sunny day by the green - something to do for everyone!

S n i p p e t * 5       L A D I E S     a n d     G E N T L E M E N

Text: Divya Agrawal

What an inspiring melange of color, material & forms!

Made from laser cut & turned wood, perspex & paint, this is a creation by London based illustrator, maker & art director Chrissie MacDonald. 

View individual pieces from this set here.