Luka Fineisen - Mixed Media Sculptor

Luka Fineisen
Mixed Media Sculptor
lukafineisen.de

         Luka Fineisen is a German artist who works with many different kinds of media to create amazing sculptures that capture the "moments of becoming" as her work is described.  Her creations explore the transitions of matter between states; solid, liquid and gas.  These tipping points between states are what intrigue and inspire Fineisen to make these sculpture-like installations.  She fabricates these works of art from foam, plastic, molten metal, liquids and countless other kinds of materials.

Fineisen is unafraid of creating something delightful, but fascinated by the moment when that allure becomes unnerving. When sensuality becomes dangerous. When attraction turns to repulsion. Fineisen shows us the exact moment when she loses control over her creation and the coinciding love and fear of that instant.    -Bio by Hosfelt Gallery

        Luka Fineisen's website is more of a work summary and resume than a portfolio site.   I would advise checking it out as well as Fine Line Magazine where I found some of the images for this post.  Hosfelt Gallery in San Francisco CA, has a great little blurb about Luka Fineisen and her work.

Yuki Matsueda - 3D Design

Yuki Matsueda
3D Design
Yuki-Matsueda.com

        Yuki Matsueda is a Japanese artist who graduated with a Ph.D. in Design from the Tokyo University of the Arts.  Most of Yuki's work seems to take movement as inspiration.  He creates 3D pieces with common household items and everyday objects we may take for granted, and then these items are encapsulated in what looks like stretched glass.  I love how the projecting item stretches the clear substance, frozen in time as if it is trying to escape.  Yuki's website has many more examples of his work, but I have listed my favorites below.  Enjoy.

Jonty Hurwitz - Interactive 3D Art

 

Jonty Hurwitz

3D Artist
JontyHurwitz.com

        Interactive art is always fascinating to me.  I think that Jonty's work is amazing, I can't even  imagine how he was able to conceptually visualize some of his pieces much less create them.  Jonty takes distorted shapes that otherwise look like stretched metal and transforms them into normal objects through reflection on a stainless cylinder.  It's the contrast between and transformation from the abstract to the everyday that's so interesting to me.  Every piece is a sculpture in itself.
        Be sure to check out Jonty's website, it's more than just a portfolio and he has a lot of different kinds of work.  There is plenty of information and content, so be sure to check it out.  Here are some of my favorite pieces of his.

Gabriel Dawe - Mixed Media & Installation Artist

Gabriel Dawe
Mixed Media & Installation Artist

Gabrieldawe.com

          Gabriel Dawe is an installation artist who creates site specific designs which explore fashion, architecture and the human need for shelter.  He has a bachelors degree in graphic design and an mfa from the University of Texas.  His work has been featured in Sculpture magazine and as the cover of the 12th edition of Art Fundamentals published by McGraw-Hill, along with many other publications.

          I love the way Gabriel's work is so interactive with the viewer and built on the surroundings.   Light is a big factor in Gabriel's designs, it really defines the way the colors and patterns are perceived and interact with each other.  I really like how simple, theoretically his designs are; just a bunch of colored strings.  But they are so much more than just that.  It looks like Gabriel is able to control the intensity and vibrancy of the color by the proximity of the threads to each other.  The closer they are, the brighter they appear.  The further apart, the duller the hue.  I wonder though, how does he get them all so taught and straight?  It's probably one of the many secrets of his trade.
          Make sure to check out Gabriel's extensive portfolio where he has some amazing photos of his work.  Hopefully at some point I will be able to see one of his installations in real life.    

         

Matt Shlian - The Paper Engineer

Matt Shlian
Paper Sculptor and Engineer
Mattshlian.com

          

          I personally have always had a thing for geometry and 3D design, so this is right up my alley.  When I first came across some of Matt Shlian's work, I was astounded.  I still can't believe the level of intricacy, precision and size of some of his paper sculptures as he calls them.  If anyone has worked with paper or done origami, you know how difficult it can be to get sharp edges and points, but that does not seem to be an issue for Matt.

          Most people think of paper as nothing more than just a white, smooth, flat piece of tree pulp, but it can be so much more.  Matt Shlian does an amazing job of redefining the boundaries of what "folded paper" can be.  At first glance his work looks like molded plastic or metal with sharp edges and smooth curves.  But only in the description did I learn that everything he makes is only paper.  The thought and planning that must go into every piece he creates is mind-boggling.
          Matt started as an undergrad studying ceramics but soon realized that he wanted to learn more.  After studying about glass, painting, performance and sound, he graduated with a dual major in ceramics and print media.  Matt started making large computer prints from which he created pop-up designs, early on in college.  He also said that he has always had a fascination with pop-up books and would often take them apart just to learn how they worked.  To top it all off, Matt does not use any kind of computer software, saying that his work just grows and develops as he makes it.  

         Be sure to check out Matt's beautiful website here, and browse through his extensive portfolio, including his videos.  There are some truly amazing things.  Below are just a few of my favorites.