Two years ago I posted at the Journal of Mythic Arts blog about a remarkable sculptor who used ordinary objects and recycled materials to create astonishing pieces at art. Here's a bit from that original post:
"I am fascinated by Canadian sculptor Brian Jungen's remarkable work, using Nike sneakers and human hair to create these stunning mythic masks (very reminiscent of Pacific Northwest Indian art). The black, white, and red Air Jordons share the same bold palette as many Native American artifacts. Jungen is particularly intrigued by the way meaning is layered when a familiar object is repositioned to evoke something entirely different.
Of this exhibit, Prototypes of New Understanding, Jungen says: "It was interesting to see how by simply manipulating the Air Jordan shoes you could evoke specific cultural traditions whilst simultaneously amplifying the process of cultural corruption and assimilation. The Nike mask sculptures seemed to articulate a paradoxical relationship between a consumerist artefact and an 'authentic' native artifact." You can see more of his work (including a fabulous Whale skeleton made entirely out of white plastic chairs) at the Catriona Jeffries Gallery, and do stop by the Cyber Muse page of the National Gallery of Canada to view short interview clips with Jungen discussing his art and inspirations."
Jungen currently has a fabulous new exhibition Strange Comfort, up at the American Indian Museum in Washington D.C. that displays more of his amazing work: the enormous "carapace" of a tortoise constructed of plastic trashcans, a warrior figure composed of leather catcher's mitts, a shark from suitcases, totems built from golf bags and my favorite, a blanket from sport jerseys. Do stop by the website to see close ups of these pieces (and lucky you if you can get to see the exhibit in Washington D.C. -- it's there until August 8, 2010). There are also other nice features on the website, such access to a podcast, a catalog, and an affordable limited addition book of photographs signed by the artist.
(thanks to Emiliano Lake-Herrera for the heads up about this new exhibit.)
