Some of you may remember my obsession with digital driftwood. In the process of participating in a collective gallery this past summer, here in Pont-Aven, I realized part of my fascination with the series. Its all about…
Rorschach test
What is a Rorschach test?
its an inkblot
The artworks shown here utilize a contemporary art strategy of the Rorschach Test combined with an Eco-Art strategy of minimizing waste in the artist’s studio. My sculptures aren’t an inkblot, but I am using symmetry.
Using hyper symmetry I create forms that are inspired by everything I see and do in my life, in hopes that you, the viewer can see whatever you want to see in them. I use symmetry because in our idealized self, we are symmetrical, and we seek it in the world. Then, in the process of making the sculpture, I pull out details to play with the identity and features of the object, in order to provoke metaphorical discoveries for you, the viewer. Like an inkblot test, what you see, I hope, creates a path of inspiration, intrigue, and hopefully pleasure. Obviously, I’m inspired by nature, but there are all sorts of possibilities in the viewers eye. I see new things in the sculptures every day, and am inspired by the comments I get from people who see these for the first time.
Like many beach conversations about dragons, or mermaids or other fantasies cloaked in washed up driftwood, my inspiration with the Digital Driftwood series is very similar. I was very happy to show them in my Pont-Aven Artist gallery this year and last, they were received well. All these work below were created this year, and I hope to continue the series. Thanks for all the support.
Cerveau, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Cerveau, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Cerveau, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
And then sometimes, I take the symmetry away for a twist…
Dancer, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Dancer, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Dancer, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Dancer, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Dancer, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Dancer, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Dancer, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
This series features a lot of fire scorched patina, as for obvious reasons, I’m responding to our very serious anthropogenic crisis…
Flux, aka Elvis, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Flux, aka Elvis, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Flux, aka Elvis, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Flux, aka Elvis, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Flux, aka Elvis, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Flux, aka Elvis, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
and back to symmetry visiting faces, organs, bones, canyons, and other forms….
Mask, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Mask, sculpted wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 3B, sculptured wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 3B, sculptured wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 3B, sculptured wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
I also reworked some older ones made in 2016, and may even still do more…
Thirsty 4, sculptured wood, 2016-2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 4, sculptured wood, 2016-2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 4, sculptured wood, 2016-2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 5, sculptured wood, 2016-2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 5, sculptured wood, 2016-2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 5, sculptured wood, 2016-2022, John K. Melvin
Thirsty 5, sculptured wood, 2016-2022, John K. Melvin
And…Here’s the last one from this year, inspired by the old grumpy man I don’t want to be, as I fumble for reading glasses and complain about stiff knees. Thanks again for reading, love one another, and be well.
Old Man, sculptured wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Old Man, sculptured wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Old Man, sculptured wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
Old Man, sculptured wood, 2022, John K. Melvin
If you like the series, take a look at another post I made about some previous versions, linked here. Thanks so much for the support, if you’d like to see more of my work, take a look at the shop.
