Sculptures Are Getting More Stylized in 2016

From what I can see, a lot of artworks coming about in 2016 are getting more and more stylised. Many established artists, old friends and new alike, are developing their own personal styles to the optimum characteristics they can display. Originality seems to outweigh realism in much of today's artists' opinions. 

This sculpture below was done by the studio of John Maisano from Austin, Texas, and is an exact example of the stylised direction that many artists seek to find in order to differentiate themselves today. His piece here shows a very prehistoric or ancient motif that takes advantages of the structural shapes that are part of his subject's anatomical design. He stresses these to compose a distinct yet bold rendering of his ideas.

Jessica Drenk also creates her nationally well-known, sculptures with a very unique, tailored style that resembles a layered or structured system of smaller elements. Her pieces reflect on the mannerisms that she has as an artist, and her style develops based on these mannerisms into a beautiful and contemporary series of artworks. She is based in the US and is represented there by Several fine art galleries, such as the Galleri Urbane in Dallas Texas.

Kylo Chua has also been widely recognized throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and the US for his evolving fluidity style, or rather infinity style- as many collectors have come to call it. Most of his sculptures portray a pure-like, expressed accentuation of elongated biological contours, such as the arms or legs of a woman. Some of his later works portray graceful animals in this eccentric, elegant style- such is the case of this sculpture depicting a collie sheepdog.

Wallace Chan, the renowned jewel sculptor is also perfecting his craft this 2016, with more inspiratorical pieces from nature, like this sapphire butterfly. He has been internationally famous for combining two media into one art style, creating wearable art that has become popularised all throughout Asia and China. His pieces draw from the colourful bewilderment of precious gemstones and their scintillating luster, adding to the already diverse uses we have for them as a society.

Manfren Kielnhofer's famously strange, yet captivating works this year are also stylized in a very particular sense. His artworks manifest themselves mainly as abstracted covered figures, somehow touching on the extra-physical or beyond-temporal subject of living beings. There may be some religous themes to these works of art as well, but I can't comment too much on that area for sensitivity reasons.

Going around Asia, the Middle East and some parts of Europe in the past years has exposed me to many forms of art, I do hope to chance upon more great artists and evolving methodologies this coming 2016 as I discover more about this wonderful world.

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Sculptors of Asia Pay Tribute To Japan's Recent History

It has been quite a while, but many still remember the event that swept Japan by storm only a few memories ago. The tsunamis and earthquakes that rocked the Asian community were those of magnitude that affected the lives of millions. Today we show art that remembers this past and allows us to look back and reminisce the significance it had on the world.

Among the younger generation of artists, a Philippine sculptor, Kylo Chua created a contemporary piece entitled “Will We Just Watch?” The sculpted artwork reveals a tsunami figure (symbolizing mother nature perhaps) flowing wildly into an active society. The artwork shows a bold depth in symbolic power by composing itself of a collage-like medley of subjects. The “3D” glasses magnify the world’s helpless position during the reality of the event, and possibly the media’s widespread coverage of the tragic day.

Sand artist; Sudarsan Pattnaik modeled a gigantic palm flat against the sandy beaches at Puri. The intensity of the work drove curious bystanders to watch and gain awareness of the threat a tsunami can pose to any nation. This bold, awe-inspiring work shows a striking subject that grasps attention by the eyes and pulls it inward into a deeper and more tragic meaning. The temporal nature of its medium has got to be a part of the piece's own purpose. The sand that flows through the waves, no matter how massive and great, can still simply vanish with the tide... 

Possibly the most awe-striking wire sculpture we've ever gazed upon- the masterpiece; “Jit Jakawan” translates to the "Heart of the Universe". Phuket Kamala’s memorial centerpiece sculpture is one of Thai Sculptor, Udon Jiraksa’s most breathtaking pieces. A symbol of a bygone past, as well as a remembrance to the world, this largely scaled emblem is indeed a gravitating sight to behold. Organized by Laemkon Art from Bangkok, several artists (including American artist Louise Bourgeois, and  Swedish artist Lars Englund) joined Jiraksa in creating their very own works of art that pay tribute to that faithful day in 2011.

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Collecting Sculptres in a Modern Philippines

I've been collecting artworks since my high school days, and I can honestly say that much of the collector population thinks of financial investment at least 60% of the time.. The world of art has been appraised and made to secondarily function as a mini-stock market sometimes, and while many artists and longtime patrons would consider themselves immune to this way of thinking, the average man isn't. When it comes to fine art, there are always other things in mind, aside from aesthetics.

Modern sculpture in the Philippines is a fairly emerging art. Despite the country being home to several thousands of visual artists, the art form of painting has always been the most popular to date. Sculpture has only seen recent re-popularization in the middle class art markets due to the emerging artists that cultivated it despite the advice from the entire community. One fascinating sculptor who's caught my eye is Michael Cacnio, who won the 2006 TOYM Award. He's a social realist and a very impressive brass sculptor in the Philippines, but doesn't come from the same generation as the traditionalist artists. His modern interpretations of Philippine society impressed an international audience with their detail and style.

Another good example would be the artists of the Artasia Fine Art Gallery in SM Megamall. Seb Chua, Noy Gepte and Kylo Chua, started sculpting a little less than a decade ago when no one else (aside from top brass) would go near it in fear of zero sales. The newly formed troupe made their way to the top of the field by garnering several prestigious awards from the Art Association of the Philippines, the Shell National Art Competition and the GSIS Competition. These artists, along with 6 or 7 other friends decided to venture out and explore the world of cast sculpture and mixed media bit by bit. They eventually set up their own gallery at the SM Megamall building A's fourth floor. Throughout the many years that this troupe has been together, I've always considered them one of the best inspirations and hopes for the future of modern sculpture in the Philippines.

Another artist, Ronald Ventura, has grown his fair share of followers over the last few years. His works are definitely deep in theme, and have made their way across international borders to exhibit with different localities around the world. He's also represented the Philippines and southeast Asia during his solo show at the Tyler Rollins Fine Art Gallery in New York city a few years back. Ventura is another prime example of Filipino evolving sculpture. Since his first one-man exhibit “All Souls Day” in 2001, he's set up several distinguished shows and gained the respect of the art world as a modern sculptor. 

Other Philippine sculptors that you may already know, are still very much present in the art scene. The beautiful glass creations of Ramon Orlina make themselves known at every art fair and nationwide exhibit I go to. I've always wondered about this man's curious style of portraying abstract and human beauty through his carving of glass blocks. Needless to say, his status is already that of a master when it comes to technique and form, being honed for over a decade in a craft specialized only by his own two hands. Orlina gives a a new contemporary beauty to glass sculpture, and was recognized for it during several awards around Asia. His presence as one of the leading Filipino sculptor today is definitely a positive push for the future generations of artists.

Sculpture is now being considered top investable art as well, thanks to artists that have just made their mark in a scene overpopulated by painting. Today, the Philippine collectors of the old world are still beginning to show appreciation for such an artform, but the days of the traditionalists are inevitably fading away. A contemporary movement of young and modernist sculptors are ready to set foot on Philippine creativity.

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