12May / 2012

Yoan Capote: Still Waters Run Deep

Cuban artist Yoan Capote uses unique and clever objects to create his beautiful mixed-media masterpieces. Below, is his piece entitled “Isla (See-scape)“, which extends 26 feet in width. Yoan used oil, nails, 500,000 fishhooks and 30 assistants to complete the piece which took 6 months. Wow!!!

Yoan gives a new meaning to the phrase, “still waters run deep”. From a distance, the water is beautifully tranquil but as you get closer, your eyes focus on the materials used and tranquil waters now appear dangerous, aggressive and powerful. As the perceptions are challenged, the viewer experiences an unexpected excitement that results from the massive, unending seascape combined with the energy of the thousands of hooks. To see more of Yoan Capote’s breath-taking art, check out his website, here.

“I decided to use fishhooks in this series because I wanted to create a tension between beauty and seduction and danger and entrapment.” – Yoan Capote

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17Apr / 2012

Elaine Bradford’s Sweater Shooting Elephant

Houston-based artist, Elaine Bradford, has created a mind-blowing permanent installation at the Vinson Neighborhood Library. Her masterpiece involves a life-sized baby elephant who is, basically, shooting hand-knit sweaters onto a circling flock of geese. Elaine’s color palette was inspired by the Houston Zoo’s tropical bird habitat. Chisel 3D assisted her vision by sculpting the 7 and a half-foot tall baby elephant. Elaine has paired with writer, J.D.Ho and illustrator, Rene Cruz, to create a book which explains the colorful story of the fascinating characters, entitled, “Pachikadi and His Flying Friends“. The book is available at the library for readers to check out. To see all of Elaine’s breath-taking sculptures, installations and crafty art, visit her website and Flickr photostream!

12Apr / 2012

The Talented Mr. Grashow

Connecticut-based sculptor and installation artist, James Grashow was born in Brooklyn; the source of his inspiration behind the appropriately titled series, “Houseplants”. James carves delicate arrangements of floral bouquets that, upon closer inspection, host entire cities. His intricate details are astonishing!! The miniature cityscape either rise from the center of a flower or rest upon the leaves of hand-sculpted greenery. James created bouquets for Atlanta, New York City, Telluride (Connecticut), Brooklyn, Manhattan and New York University. His series of bouquets are both a celebration of the architectural motifs unique to the featured city, as well as a nod towards our balance within nature. As James explains, “The word Houseplant is a perfect metaphor for the fragile relationship between nature and man.” To see more of James incredible sculptures (which include a two-story cardboard sculpture!), check out his website, here.