Insects and crustaceans. Image licensed from the Perkins School for the Blind ArchivesTurn-of-the-Century Tactile Graphics Illustrate Nature for People Who Are BlindJanuary 23, 2025Kate MothesIn the Alsace-Lorraine region, bordering northeastern France and western Germany, the town of Illzach was once home to an institute for the blind. Martin Kunz (1847-1923) directed the school at the turn of the century and produce a remarkable series of embossed graphics that visually impaired students could use to learn about nature and geography.Accompanied by braille descriptions, Kunzs educational aids depict a wide range of plants, animals, and maps. To create each page, he hand-carved two wood pieces that formed a mold, into which he sandwiched paper to produce raised illustrations.Crocodile chasing a man. Image licensed from Perkins School for the Blind ArchivesThe material was typically thick, and Kunz soaked it in water before placing it between the blocks so that the natural fibers would soften and stretch into shape. Leaves, fish, herons, crocodiles, crustaceans, and more comprise a wide array of designs that he mass-produced and made available to blind students all over the world.The library of the Perkins School for the Blind holds a collection of dozens of Kunzs late-19th and early-20th-century tactile graphics, and you can explore more examples from the collection on the Perkins Librarys Flickr. Below, learn more about Kunzs process in a video from the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind, presented by director Mike Hudson. And keep an eye on the APHs website for news about The Dot Experience, the organizations museum expansion set to open in 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky, that applies inclusive design standards and brings disability access to the fore.Various plants. Image licensed from Perkins School for the Blind ArchivesBirds. Image licensed from Perkins School for the Blind ArchivesFlying fish. Image licensed from Perkins School for the Blind ArchivesTuna and swordfish. Image licensed from Perkins School for the Blind ArchivesSquid. Image licensed from Perkins School for the Blind ArchivesBirds. Image licensed from Perkins School for the Blind ArchivesNext article

Sporting colorful garments and richly patterned faces, Reen Barreras doll sculptures (previously) evoke an expressive, make-believe world. Often dressed in striped tops and hand-stitched hoods with animalistic ears, his imaginative Ohlala characters represent the universality of human emotions while emphasizing every individuals unique qualities.Barrera creates the sculptures from wood and patchwork textiles, and he also makes paintings depicting Ohlala figures in pensive moments or expressing a sense of empowerment. Find his work at Art Central Hong Kong in March, and see more on his website and Instagram.Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Reen Barreras Expressive Ohlala Characters Evoke Emotions and Empowerment appeared first on Colossal.

When it comes to foliage, theres a reason its called greenery. But for Cornwall-based photographer Tom Leighton, common plants take on otherworldly dimensions when rendered in unexpected hues.The artists latest series, Fabled Gardens II, focuses predominantly on giant rhubarb, ferns, and rhododendrons, highlighting the captivating patterns and layers of leaves, fronds, and flowers. Leighton illuminates the botanicals at night, setting crisp outlines against dark backgrounds. Leightons photographs (previously) emphasize what he describes as the forces that shape the natural world, tapping into the power of light and color to illustrate dynamic biological processes like photosynthesis, reproduction, growth, and decay.The artist is currently preparing for forthcoming print releases. Follow updates on Instagram, and explore more on his website and Behance.Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Beguiling Botanicals Fluoresce in Tom Leightons Otherworldly Photographs appeared first on Colossal.

Symbioosi (Symbiosis). Images Matias Karsikas, shared with permission Matias Karsikas Merges Diverse Techniques to Reimagine Natural SurfacesJanuary 22, 2025CraftNatureJackie AndresListening to the material is a central principle in my work, Matias Karsikas says. Combining elements of glass, wood, and ceramics, the Helinski-based artist draw upon natures persistence despite human intervention.Karsikas botanical sculptures rest between artificial and organic. While bold hues of hand-blown glass neatly bloom into symmetrical petals and small bits of fired clay rhythmically protrude to resemble disc florets, fragments of untreated wood create a contrast that challenges the harmony between naturally occurring components of flora and fabricated representations of it.Suonkukka (Marsh Flower)These works do not directly depict figures or landscapes but instead draw inspiration from nature through textures and surfaces, Karsikas explains. For instance, more complex finishes of mottled, green huesas seen in pieces such as Jkl and Sammalare a result of the artist developing his own glazes to mimic surfaces similar to lichen and moss. His first major public work, Peukaloisen puutarha, rests on a Helsinki daycare center wall. Translating to Little Thumblings Garden, the installation includes an abundance of pickings such as embellished flowers, a berry cluster, and peas. Playing with scale is intended to evoke memories of childhood, Karsikas shares. It was a time when everything seemed bigger, more magical, and more exciting.Having recently concluded his first major exhibition at the Finnish Glass Museum, Karsikas is currently working on two forthcoming public artworks. Follow his Instagram for updates, and see his website for more work.Kultaa ja Kukkia (Gold and Flowers)Jkl (Lichen)Filigraanikukka (Filigree Flower)Sammal (Moss)Pivnsde ja Menninkinen (The Sunbeam and the Goblin)Peukaloisen puutarha (Little Thumblings Garden), photo by HAM / Sonja HyytiinenDetail of Peukaloisen puutarha (Little Thumblings Garden), photo by HAM / Sonja HyytiinenAmetistikukka (Amethyst Flower)Next article

All images courtesy of Asya Marakulina, shared with permissionAsya Marakulina Sculpts Poignant Ceramic Portraits of Demolished HomesJanuary 22, 2025ArtSocial IssuesKate MothesPrior to the 20th century, apartment buildings and row houses were often built with shared walls between adjoining properties. Intrigued by these aging structures, Vienna-based artist Asya Marakulina began cataloging examples she first noticed on walks around her former home in St. Petersburg, Russia.Since houses in the 19th century were built without gaps between them, when one house is torn down, the neighboring house often bears traces of the demolished one, Marakulina tells Colossal. These remnants of decor, plumbing, and other signs of human habitation form the basis of her ongoing ceramic series, There Was a Home.When Marakulina moved to Vienna, she noticed a similar phenomenon in the remains of older buildings that had been demolished there, too. Fragments of floor still clung to the walls and the outlines of painted or papered rooms were suddenlysomewhat uncomfortablyexternal. The ease of a warm interior and its associated domesticity was upended.What touches and affects me the most in images of ruined houses are the traces of wallpaper, tiles, and childrens rooms, which suddenly become visible to the entire street, the artist says, sharing that the sight evokes a deep sadness. These spaces were never meant to be seen in such a way.Marakulina likens houses to the bodies of living organisms, imbued with emotions, memories, and layered histories. The ceramic cross-sections take on a portrait-like quality, capturing straightforward views of multistory edifices that are simultaneously immediate and intimate. Maybe thats why these images captivate me so much because a part of someones inner, domestic life is suddenly turned inside-out and put on public display, she says.The houses in There Was a Home are typically drawn from real buildings, photographs of which she captures herself or finds on the internet. Marakulina also considers the impacts of war and is profoundly moved by the current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where thousands of homes have been destroyed and their inhabitants killed or displaced. The half-standing homes simultaneously represent lives lost and the hope of one day being able to rebuild.Rather than straightforward copies of the buildings she encounters, Marakulina takes liberties with wall colors, sometimes adding graffiti or words she sees on the streets or derives from the news. She scores the clay to create the textures of tile and concrete or delineate lintels and former doorways. The resulting reliefs become collage-like, merging locations and motifs.If youre in Belgium, you can see the artists work in Ceramic Brussels, which opens today and continues through January 26. In London, Marakulina created a site-specific installation for a solo show at The Smallest Gallery in Soho, which continues through mid-February, and later that month, she will exhibit with Vienna Collectors Club. Find more on the artists website and Instagram.Next article

Fir Mignon (2023), wood, epoxy clay, oil paint, 8.75 x 8.75 x 3 inches. All images courtesy of Joyce Lin, shared with permissionUncanny Objects by Joyce Lin Blur Distinctions Between Reality and the FantasticalJanuary 21, 2025ArtDesignKate MothesWhether enclosed in clear acrylic or seemingly sliced from a single tree, Joyce Lins sculptures examine themes of interconnectedness and the Anthropocene, which describes our planets most recent epoch and the way humans significantly impact its ecosystems and climate. I am both disturbed and captivated by the paradoxes of industrialized society, Lin says in a statement, where modes of production and disposal are often obscured to the public, yet people have more technology than ever to make their imagined worlds a reality.Wood Chair in Fir (2024), oil paint, epoxy clay, plywood, MDF, and wood, 16.5 x 16.25 x 34.75 inchesLins uncanny pieces meld form and function, taking the recognizable shapes of furniture and food and transforming them into playful meditations on mass production and consumption. She often uses organic materials like wood, augmenting the surfaces with synthetic mediums like epoxy, resin, and oil paint to preserve their appearance in perpetuity. Some works, like the Wooden Chair series, are entirely composed of engineered materials.I love to dissect and understand things, and my works often feature objectsusually a chairsliced open to expose an inner structure; to express an inner truth, so to speak, Lin tells Colossal. She manipulates the structures extensively, blurring the reality of what she describes as the insides and the outsides, so the composition takes on a fantastical quality.I dont think theyre so convincing when you really zoom in, so its interesting to see people assume theyre somehow grown or AI-generated, even though they take an incredible amount of manual labor and time to create, Linn adds. I often think about distortions in our perception of reality, (which is) probably why people keep sending me those is-it-cake videos.The artist is currently working toward a solo exhibition later this year at R & Company, and you can explore more on her website and Instagram.Exploded Chair (2019), maple and acrylic, 16 x 16 x 35 inchesWoodnanas (2024) wood, steel, polyester resin, and epoxy clayWood Chair in Ash (2024), oil paint, epoxy clay, plywood, MDF, and wood. Beetles: epoxy, wire, 16.5 x 16.25 x 34.75 inchesDetail of Wood Chair in AshRoot Chair (2023), found driftwood and walnut stain, 29 x 30 x 34 inchesWood StoolNext article

All images courtesy of OK GoHit Play on OK Gos Mindbogglingly Choreographed Music Video Filmed with 64 PhonesJanuary 21, 2025FilmMusicKate MothesWere more selective these days about how we use the word meta, but when it comes to OK Gos latest release, the band has createdbear with us herea music video using phones about videos made with phones.Known for elaborately choreographed music videos that bring pop songs to life through playful, chromatic, even gravity-defying stunts, OK Go (previously) continues to push the boundaries of the genre. The groups tune A Stone Only Rolls Downhill, which premiered last Thursday, features a mindbogglingly complex composition using 64 smartphones to record and transmit a joyful performance. The band is currently composed of Damian Kulash, Tim Nordwind, Dan Konopka, and Andy Ross, who relish the creative potential of the music video genre. Tapping into a unique style of filmic continuity using split screens and meticulously-planned set transitions, the band defies the notion that music videos are a thing of the past.For A Stone Only Rolls Downhill, each phone captured one unique take, which had to be carefully planned in advance. All 64 videos were filmed in slightly different sequences or at different angles, in some cases capturing additional phones in the bands hands that displayed color blocks or patterns. In a remarkable feat, the final video records the playback on the phones, arranged on a simple concrete surface, choreographed to reflect an increasingly elaborate performance. See the video on the bands YouTube channel, where you can dance along to dozens more.Next article

An excerpt of a Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant for a soldier named Charles Hart, North CarolinaPractice Your Cursive as a Citizen Archivist and Preserve Thousands of Historic DocumentsJanuary 21, 2025HistoryKate MothesIn 2010, the newly established Common Core State Standards program, which outlines skills and knowledge students should acquire between kindergarten and high school, did not include cursive in its English requirements. As a result, many young people can no longer read or write in cursive. But if you canor are willing to learna wealth of historical documents await you in the U.S. National Archives.The federal organizations Citizen Archivist program is recruiting volunteers to help transcribe thousands of documents in its collection. Records in need of review are categorized into missions, like paperwork relating to women in the First World War or submarine patrol reports during the Second World War.An excerpt of a Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application for James Lucas, Virginia. Image courtesy of the National ArchivesAnother major mission involves transcribing the records of more than 80,000 of the nations first veterans. Each file is associated with a surviving Revolutionary War soldier, his widow, or children, who applied for a pension based on the veterans service during War for Independence (1775-1783), says a statement from the National Parks Service, which has partnered with the National Archives for this initiative in time for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.The National Archives also needs people to tag photographs and other materials to help identify people, events, or places. By improving searchability, the archives become more accessible to historians, genealogists, students, and the public.Its easy to get started: just register and select a document to begin transcribing. Theres no application, and you can contribute as much or as little as youd like. National Parks Service interpretation planner Joanne Blacoe says, We wanted something that was going to last beyond an anniversary, not just in our own archives but in a place that everybody could access.Find more on the National Archives website.Next article

Late Capitalism. All images Michael Kerbow, shared with permissionDinosaurs Overrun a World Post Climate Disaster in Michael Kerbows PaintingsJanuary 17, 2025Jackie AndresAfter ending another year of record-breaking climate statistics, we stand at the precipice of 2025, which has already revealed its own devastating challenges. As the window for meaningful change continues to narrow during the next several years, were left to wonder what the world might look like if we stay on this path. Through the lens of hyper-consumerism, San Francisco-based artist Michael Kerbow (previously) envisions the future in his wry and imaginative landscape paintings.Swarming decayed gas station roofs, perching atop abandoned vehicles in forests, and sauntering past crumbling highways and fast food joints, the dinosaurs in Kerbows paintings govern a world overrun by the effects of late-stage capitalism. Hints of climate devastation reveal themselves through small details in the background, such as volcano eruptions, dense, hazy skies, and pools of floodwater.BypassKerbow scatters familiar signage and advertisements from recognizable chains within his scenes to introduce humor and make his work more approachable. However, the artist emphasizes the gravity of the issue at hand:We like to believe everything we currently have will always be there for us, but I suspect it could just as easily fall apart and slip away. I try to stay optimistic about the future, but the truth is I am troubled by where I see things appear to be headed, specifically with the health of our ecosystem. Each passing year seems to bring more alarming statistics, and this comfortable place we call home seems to grow more precarious. It is sobering to consider my artwork as foreshadowing a future reality.As Kerbow continues to make new paintings, you can follow along on Instagram and see his website for more.Adaptive ReuseVestige (Golden Arches)Black MondayHighwaterGladeEconomic DeclineSiren SongShadowplayOasisNext article

All images Keerthana Kunnath, shared with permissionIn Kerala, Keerthana Kunnath Photographs the Female Bodybuilders Defying Beauty IdealsJanuary 17, 2025PhotographySocial IssuesGrace EbertLike many sports, men have typically dominated the world of bodybuilding, but for a small group of women in India, lifting weights and chiseling their bodies subverts more than athletic competitions.In an ongoing series of images titled Not What You Saw, photographer Keerthana Kunnath documents a burgeoning community of female bodybuilders in Kerala. Set against common backdrops like beaches, the outside of a traditional Indian home, and lush, green foliage, the collection highlights an alternative vision of beauty grounded in immense female power.Since starting the series, Kunnath has met about a dozen women participating in the sport. Her first encounter, though, was with the popular athlete and trainer Arathy Krishna, who she came across while researching the Indian marital art known as Kalari. This led the photographer to a small group of women bodybuilders scattered throughout the country. My initial meeting was through socialmedia and through some fitness coaches who train some of these girls, Kunnath adds. I later started going to the competitions to support (them)and also to meet more bodybuilders.In Not What You Saw, broad, athletic shoulders and thighs bulging with muscle are juxtaposed with more traditional garments and gauzy, feminine fabrics chosen in collaboration with stylist Elton John. Beauty ideals have often centered on slim bodies, light skin, and long hair in India, and as Kunnath explained to WePresent last year, challenging stereotypes and defying gendered expectations has wide-ranging implications for those pursuing the sport. She says: Many of them come from families who cannot or do not support their interest in the sport due to societal constraints or financial worries. They have to regularly work around the complex physical and emotional aspect of building and maintaining their physique, while fighting the deeply ingrained expectations of how a woman should look and what they can pursue as a respectable career.Posed flexing their biceps and accentuating their impeccably sculpted forms, the women exude not only strength and pride but also joy. Shining light on a wider range of experiences is a key element of Kunnaths practice, which often hones in on under-represented communities and those defying norms, particularly throughout southern Asia. Currently working between London and India, Kunnath will show her work next month at Fujis House of Photography in London and the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol. Follow her latest projects, including additions to Not What You Saw and a new series devoted to her grandmother, on Instagram.Next article

Housework Wont Kill You, But Why Take a Chance (2024), oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches. All images courtesy of Stephen Morrison and Hashimoto Contemporary, shared with permissionThe Dog Did It! Stephen Morrisons Trompe-lils Brim with Canine CharacterJanuary 16, 2025ArtKate MothesTo say that Stephen Morrisons work is inspired by dogs would be an understatement. Through sculptural assemblages and paintings of puppy faces tucked in foliage or morphing from household items, Morrison evokes the timeless love for our pets.I think Ive always been a bit of a hedonist and kind of set up to love the life of a dog, of doing whatever you want when you want to do it, Morrison recently told Hyperallergic in an interview. Thats why making work with dogs feels so natural because its deeply a part of my character.Every Direction at Once (2025), oil on panel, 20 x 16 inchesMorrison also draws inspiration from his beloved pit bull mix, Tilly, who was the ring bearer at his wedding and died three years ago. Her curious visage lives on in the artists idiosyncratic compositions, bringing expressive life to everything from birdhouses to table lamps.In the artists forthcoming solo exhibition at Hashimoto Contemporary, Morrison continues to channel canine personalities in Dog Show #4: House Broken.Trompe-lil paintings portray the supports on the backs of canvases, teeming with botanicals, stuffed animals, magazine clippings, and fruit. Likewise, a series of sculptures made from epoxy clay, resin, paper, and oil paint appear like assemblages of seemingly disparate items. In Clump Spirit #5 (Study), for example, a puppys face emerges from the front of a violin hanging from a hook, and Clump Spirit #1 (Living Room) displays a happy dog on a TV screen, stacked high with other objects that also feature distinctive eyes and snouts. Everything appears in a state of joyful yet barely contained disarray.Clump Spirit #1 (Living Room) (2024), television, silicone, textile, resin, and epoxy clay, 12 x 21 x 12 inchesThis show reflects on the chaotic messiness of home life, inspired by the lively and dysfunctional environment I grew up in, Morrison says. Our house was filled with dancing, yelling, slapdash crafting, and a constant swirl of half-finished projects. Amid all the noise, there was an odd harmonymoments where the chaos seemed to hum along just right, as if disorder itself had a rhythm.Dog Show #4: House Broken runs from January 18 to February 8 in New York City. Find more on the artists website and Instagram.Build a Little Birdhouse in Your Soul (2024), oil on panel, 24 x 24 inchesClump Spirit #4 (Study) (2025), epoxy clay, paper, resin, and oil paint, 26 x 10 x 5 1/2 inchesThe Council of Plastic Limbs (2025), oil on panel, 24 x 36 inchesClump Spirit #3 (Bedroom) (2025), epoxy clay and oil paint, 15 x 8 x 7 inchesThank You for Your Business (2025), oil on panel, 48 x 36 inchesNext article

Eirik Falckner, Kiosken. All images courtesy of Ceramic Brussels, shared with permissionAt Ceramic Brussels, an Eclectic Array of Works Offers a State of the MediumJanuary 16, 2025ArtCraftGrace EbertFrom Nobuhito Nishigawaras gilded drips to Andrs Anzas spiny forms that could seemingly scuttle away at any moment, an eclectic array of works go on view this month for Ceramic Brussels.In its second year, the annual gathering is the only international art fair devoted entirely to the medium. The 2025 edition will feature works by more than 200 artists around the globe, with a particular focus on contemporary Norwegian makers. Andres Anza, Galleria Anna MarraSpanning myriad aesthetics and processes, the fair presents a wide variety of approaches to and a sort of state of the medium. Some artists, like Eirik Falckner, push the boundaries of ceramic art even further by collaborating with bees to layer thick chunks of honeycomb atop a raw armature.Find some works slated to be exhibited at the fair, which runs from January 23 to 26, below.Nobuhito Nishigawara, Almine RechMarianne Huotari, Holster BurrowsDaphne de Gheldere, Spax ProjectsAndres Anza, Galleria Anna MarraNellie Jonsson, QB GalleryNellie Jonsson, QB GallerySamuel Yal, Galerie Ariane C-YLaszlo Borsody, ACB GalleryNext article

Nosy neighbor. All images courtesy of Hayden Clay, shared with permissionHayden Williams Illustrations Imbue Cookie-Cutter Houses with Uncanny PersonalitiesJanuary 16, 2025IllustrationKate MothesYouve probably heard the term cookie-cutter to describe rows of houses seemingly indistinguishable from one another, save details like color or which side the garage sits on. For Brooklyn-based artist Hayden Williams, the comforting yet slightly eerie predictability of these sprawling settings is fodder for Suburbs, a series of illustrations tapping into American obsessions with privacy and perfect lawns.A lot of things interest me about suburbia, Williams tells Colossal. I enjoy the quiet, uncanny beauty that, due to its cookie-cutter nature, is also extremely relatable and nostalgic to many people.SprawlWilliams uses Houdini, a 3D rendering tool, to create his saccharine digital landscapes. Through visual puns and mysterious lightning effects, he emphasizes recognizable elements of neighborhood life, like in Nosy neighbors, in which a house curves upward and hovers over the adjacent property as if paying way-too-close attention.The artist also plays with notions of presence and absence, as the streets and sidewalks are completely devoid of people, pets, or even cars, imbuing the houses with personality.In Best friends, for example, a single walkway connects the front doors of two houses, which sit alone in an expansive, shared lawn. And in Cul de sac, an identifiable feature of many planned developments sinks into the ground to create a spiraling, subterranean existence with no visible end.I think there are a lot of interesting stories to be told about the suburbs, Williams says. They are an umbrella where many different, odd things take place. The series tells some of these storiessad, weird, humorousand tackles themes of growing up in suburbia and leaving it behind.Find more on the artists website and Instagram.Cul de sacBest friendsStay off the lawnSneak outH.O.A.Private poolMemory laneMowing the lawnMoving awayNext article

This month, the team at The Public Domain Review launched a new project aimed at artists, illustrators, designers, and creatives of all stripes. Containing 10,000+ items, the Public Domain Image Archive is a vast trove of illustrations, prints, scans, and more, all downloadable and free for use.The database offers a functional search that allows users to sort by artist, time period, style, and theme. For those seeking maximum visual stimulus, theres also an Infinite View option that collates images of all types into a navigatable grid.Included in the collections are 19th-century drawings that turn maps into farcical figures, vivid fish renderings by Louis Renard, and satirical black-and-white cartoons from the censorship-laden Prohibition era.Curators plan to add more entries to the database each week, so be sure to check back for updates. And, if youd like more deep dives into copyright-free works, check out the public domain archive on Colossal.Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article A New Searchable Public Domain Archive Collects 10,000+ Images Free for Use appeared first on Colossal.

All images courtesy of Mission Archologique Franco-Suisse de Saqqra, shared with permissionIn Saqqara, Archaeologists Uncover the Sumptuous 4,100-Year-Old Tomb of a Royal PhysicianJanuary 15, 2025Kate MothesFor ancient Egyptians, the afterlifealso called Duat, among other nameswas a mystical realm overseen by the god Osiris, who personified rebirth and life after death. But entry to Duat was anything but guaranteed; when a person died, their spirit traveled across vast, challenging terrain and deposited them at the Hall of Final Judgment, where their heart was weighed against a feather from Maat, the goddess of justice and truth.In preparation for the afterlife, royals, dignitaries, and the wealthy elite constructed great tombs. The most elaborate among them were painted with ornamental murals that shared ones accomplishments, packed with artwork and riches to demonstrate each individuals status and accompany them to Duat.Expansive ancient necropolises complemented large cities, where societys upper crust commissioned tombs, temples, and pyramids. For the capital of Memphis, the final resting place was typically Saqqara, which contains some of Egypts oldest monuments, some of which date back to the First Dynasty around 5,000 years ago.Scholars continue to unfurl millennia-old mysteries as archaeological excavations carry on in Saqqara. And sometimes, as researchers from the Mission Archologique Franco-Suisse de Saqqra (MAFS) recently found out, marvelous and unexpected discoveries still emerge from the sand.During the 2024 season, as the team excavated near a mastabaa large-scale, rectangular, flat-roofed tombthey discovered a number of smaller burials, including a kiln tomb. Also known as oven tombs, these burials are made of raw bricks that are characterized by their vaulted ceiling, says a statement from MAFS. They are built several meters below the ground, and the only way to access them is through the burial shaft, always placed to the north of the entrance.Typically, kiln tombs are fairly simple mud brick monuments, sometimes with limestone walls, and even less often decorations, MAFS says. Today, they are also often empty as a result of looting throughout the centuries. But instead of a basic, unadorned room, the team found vibrant wall paintings commemorating a doctor who died around 4,000 years ago.Archaeologists uncovered a stone tablet bearing the doctors name, Tetinebefou, near the entrance. A stele is a stone slab featuring text, imagery, or both, and in ancient Egypt, a false door stele represented a portal for the deceaseds spirit pass through into the afterlife. As researchers explored farther, the physicians name was represented in other locations, confirming it to be his tomb.As reported in Live Science, Tetinebefou was known as a dean of the palace physicians, with inscriptions referring to him also as conjurer of the goddess Serqet, who was associated with protection from scorpion stings. He was also prescribed the titles of director of medicinal plants and chief dentist, both of which are unusual designations in ancient Egypt. Its unclear which pharaoh he may have served, but MAFSs lead Egyptologist Phillippe Collombert suggests Tetinebefou may have worked under Pepi II, who reigned between approximately 2246 and 2152B.C.E.Inside the tomb, relief carvings of urns, furniture, hieroglyphs, and garments are complemented by colorful patterns and richly textured ceiling. At some point in the past, the doctors tomb had indeed been looted, and only tiny fragments of objects remained. The decorations, however, mark an exceptional discovery.A documentary slated for 2026, directed by Frdric Wilner, will take a deeper dive into the details of this excavation. In the meantime, explore more on the MAFS website.Next article

Projection: Kite (2019) at night. Photo by David Yeow. All images courtesy of Poh Sin Studio, shared with permissionVibrant, Immersive Installations by Poh Sin Studio Emphasize Vulnerability as a StrengthJanuary 15, 2025ArtDesignKate MothesFrom vibrant rope to metal frames to acrylic panels, the chromatic installations of Poh Sin Studio invite viewers into glowing thoroughfares and sprawling pavilions. Founded by Pamela Poh Sin Tan, the studio emphasizes public art as a means of fostering relationships between people, their communities, and their surroundings.Tans immersive works blur the boundaries between disciplines, evoking a sense of curiosity and discovery. Im particularly drawn to engaging the public through art and creating experiences that inspire dialogue and connection, she tells Colossal. I believe public art is a powerful catalyst for urban renewal and psychological well-being, providing moments of reflection, joy, and connection.Detail of Crimson CloudFor example, the artist shares that her most recent installation, Structural Resonance, explores the interplay between art and architecture, embodying layers of spatial and experiential narratives. She is interested in how physical spaces interact with their environment and affect us visually and emotionally.Embracing fragility as a form of strength is central to Tans practice, manifesting in the way soft materials, like rope, complement those associated with resilience and permanence, like metal. I find inspiration in overlooked details, such as plant veins, diatoms, mechanical and electrical systems, or even the skeletal framework of objects like a piano, she says. These hidden elements hold quiet beauty and complexity that I love to bring to light.Art and architecture are inherently intertwined in Tans view. Design and engineering provides structure, context, and utility, while the artistic aspect adds compelling narrative and emotion. Together, they reveal hidden dimensions, evoke movement, and connect deeply with viewers, she says.Explore more on Poh Sin Studios website and Instagram.Structural Resonance (2024)Projection: Kite. Photo by David YeowDetail of Projection: Kite (2019). Photo by David YeowSunnyside Up (2023) at MRT Pasar Seni, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSunnyside Up (2023)Crimson Cloud (2022), at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDetail of Crimson CloudEdenStructural ResonanceNext article

All images courtesy of Malena MartinezEmpty Sneakers Dance in a Stop-Motion Film Honoring the 20th Anniversary of a Buenos Aires TragedyJanuary 14, 2025AnimationHistoryKate MothesIn late December 2004, at the Republica de la Cromagon nightclub in Buenos Aires, more than 4,000 fans gathered for a performance by the rock band Los Callejeros. The space was well over the clubs capacity of 1,500, while a number of routes were padlocked or blocked to prevent people from entering without paying.When a fan shot a flare into the airsomething Argentinian fans regularly do at large eventsthe pyrotechnic ignited the interiors decor, comprised predominantly of highly flammable materials like styrofoam. The building erupted in a blaze that claimed 194 lives and injured nearly 1,500 more. With few available escape routes, little to no fire mitigation systems, and a packed club, pandemonium broke out at Cromagon.The fire quickly turned into one of the most devastating tragedies in Argentinian history. To mark 20 years since the disaster, a stop-motion short titled LONA poignantly memorializes the communitys loss. The title refers to canvas, like sneakers, and Malena Martinez directed and animated the film.Focusing on pairs of shoes that dance to cheerful music, the work evokes joyful gatherings with friends to let loose and enjoy a concert. As the camaraderie continues, flowers begin to sprout from inside each sneaker, blossoming into a vibrant reminder of the lives lost in the fire.Next article

All images courtesy of Saori Matsushita, shared with permissionPaper or Porcelain? Saori Matsushita Folds Delicate Ceramic into Playful ObjectsJanuary 14, 2025ArtCraftGrace EbertIt might be tempting to throw one of Saori Matsushitas paper airplanes across the room, but we promise you the landing would be less than graceful. From her Seattle studio, Matsushita transforms delicate sheets of porcelain into vases, mugs, and sculptures that appear as if they were folded from paper. Punctured with binder holes and the fringed edge of a torn-out sheet, the functional objects bear the iconic blue lines of a school notebook. Other works are similarly deceptive, like the cloth sack or collared-shirt vessels that capture the folds, bends, and bulges of fabric in ceramic. To create these pieces, Matsushita utilizes nerikomi, a Japanese pottery technique that involves layering colored bodies of clay together and then cutting them to reveal a patterned section. Stripes of blue and pink appear through stacking slabs rather than the glazing process, and the artist builds most works by hand (head to her YouTube to see more).When Matsushita began incorporating this labor-intensive method into her practice in 2023, it helped develop whats now become her signature style. She shares: Previously, I focused on Neriage, a technique where colored clays are combined and wheel-thrown. However, I transitioned to Nerikomi and began treating porcelain sheets like origami or leather to create more unique, personal expressions of my vision. I feel this shift has allowed me to establish a style that truly reflects my individuality as an artist.One of Matsushitas pieces will be featured in Saltstone Ceramics annual Mug Madness tournament this March. Follow the latest in her practice, along with announcements about new works available in her shop, on Instagram.Next article

Big changes are coming this year, andColossal HQ is moving to an exciting new location. We need your help to lighten our load. Enjoy20% off almost everythingin theColossal Shopand snag the final bits of our inventory before theyre gonelikely for good. From quality art books and adorable embroidery kits to infinite jigsaw puzzles and signed, limited-edition gicle prints, this moving sale is packed with steals. Who knows when well offer deals this low again?Dont worry about a code. These markdowns will automatically apply to your cart. The discount doesnt apply to postcards and cannot be combined with any other coupon. The sale ends Friday, January 17.Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article The Colossal Shop Is Moving: As We Pack Up, Take Something with You appeared first on Colossal.

Installation view of emajendat at Serpentine South. Installation photos by Hugo Glendinning, Lauren Halsey, courtesy of Serpentine, shared with permissionLauren Halseys emajendat Is an Energetic Celebration of South Central Los AngelesJanuary 14, 2025ArtSocial IssuesKate MothesInspired by the South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles, where Lauren Halseys family has lived for generations, vibrant sculptures and site-specific installations vividly reflect the artists community.At Serpentine South, a large-scale, maximalist exhibition titled emajendat highlights Halseys self-described obsession with material culture, her interest in remixing messages and symbols, and the need to confront issues that affect people of color, the queer community, and the working class.Installation viewHalsey gathers photographs, posters, flyers, commercial signs, and found objects that relate to her communities activism, highlighting a sense of civic urgency and free-flowing imagination, says David Kordansky Gallery, which co-represents the artist with Gagosian. Inspired by Afrofuturism and funk, as well as the signs and symbols that populate her local environments, Halsey creates a visionary form of culture that is at once radical and collaborative.Past, present, and future merge in the artists exploration of how idols, architecture, history, and communication fuel how we perceive identities and society. She draws on the imagery of ancient Egypt, the African diaspora, Black and queer icons, and the visionary design associated with funk to construct a kind of ever-evolving archive.In a monumental rooftop installation titled the eastside of south central los angeles hieroglyph prototype architecture (I), Halsey nods to palatial, ancient Egyptian architecture, placing the faces of notable Black figures on the columns capitals, such as activist Susan Burton and ethnomusicologist Dr. Rachel Eubanks.Halseys eclectic funkmound sculptures also encompass numerous found items, harboring miniature dioramas and objects that appear as though they are emerging from heaps of cotton candy. Throughout emajendat, seemingly endless collages, sculptures, reflections, prismatic color, patterns, messages, and textures welcome the viewer into an enthusiastically immersive experience.Installation view of The Roof Garden Commission: Lauren Halsey, the eastside of south central los angeles hieroglyph prototype architecture (I) (2022). Photo by Hyla Skopitz, Lauren Halsey, courtesy of the artist; David Kordansky Gallery and The Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe social element of Halseys work is amplified by a community center she founded in 2019 called Summaeverythang, located adjacent to her studio in South Central. The nonprofit initiative is dedicated to the empowerment and transcendence of Black and Brown folks socio-politically, economically, intellectually, and artistically.emajendat continues through February 23 in Kensington Gardens, London. Plan your visit on the gallerys website.Foreground: keepers of the krown (susan burton) (2024), glass fiber, reinforced concrete, and mixed media, 261 3/4 x 48 1/8 x 48 1/8 inches. Background: keepers of the krown (dr. rachel eubanks) (2024), glass fiber, reinforced concrete, and mixed media 261 3/4 x 48 1/8 x 48 1/8 inches. Photo by Andrea Avezz, Lauren Halsey, courtesy of the artist, David Kordansky Gallery, and GagosianInstallation viewInstallation detailInstallation viewInstallation detailInstallation collage detailNext article

All images courtesy of Nosheen Iqbal, shared with permissionNosheen Iqbal Translates Pakistani Craft Traditions into Vivid Sculptural EmbroideriesJanuary 13, 2025ArtCraftGrace EbertEquipped with vibrant cotton thread and wooden panels, Nosheen Iqbal stitches sculptural embroideries that draw on her Pakistani and Islamic heritage. Architectural arabesques and Punjabi craft traditions influence her mixed-media motifs, including phulkari, or floral folk embroideries, and woodblock printed reliefs known as bagh.Iqbal utilizes half-circles and semi-precious beads to add depth and visual intrigue to the works. Creating shadows and catching the light, these meticulously planned details allow a shift in perspective depending on the viewers position. The sweeping lines of color create saturated pathways that reveal their intensity and depth, she adds, allowing my work to offer a shifting experience of light, color, and connection.By emphasizing dimension and the interactions between materials, Iqbal hopes to push the medium in new directions while honoring broader making traditions. She says: Craftsmanship holds a profound significance in Pakistani culture, where artistry is revered as a lifelong discipline that shapes identity and community. This respect for meticulous craftsmanship is integral to my own practice. By selecting thoughtful materialswood, semi-precious beads, and threadI aim to honor this tradition. Each piece is a reflection of this cultural value, merging refined textures with precision to invite a tactile, immersive experience for the viewer.Born in London, Iqbal lives and works in Dallas and recently left a long career in design and art direction to become an artist full-time. You can find available pieces on her website and follow her work on Instagram.Next article

Fluffy-Tailed Ticked Dog (2022), hand-hooked mostly-wool yarn on linen. All images courtesy of Emily OLeary, shared with permissionLifelike Canines Lounge in Emily OLeary Uncanny Hooked RugsJanuary 13, 2025ArtCraftKate MothesMost dogs spend at least half of their day asleepsome getting zs for upwards of 18 hours. Whether curled up on the floor or enjoying a long-legged stretch, the subjects of Emily OLearys rugs evoke our beloved pets.Based on photographs of actual dogs, she focuses mostly on animals the artist doesnt know. I like to hook dogs that are pretty mutty looking, that dont look like yard-bound Golden Retrievers or Doodles, she tells Colossal. Im attracted to the shared history of humans and dogshow the bulk of their domestication may have happened somewhat inadvertently.Injured Elbow Dog (2020), hand-hooked wool yarn on linenEmploying a carpet-making technique called rug hooking, the earliest form of which can be traced to Northern England in the early 19th century, OLeary spends several months on a single piece. Compared to tufting, Its a slower, more traditional process, she says, but the process allows each individual loop to be applied at a different height, giving her the ability to create three-dimensional reliefs.OLeary learned to make rugs after predominantly focusing on embroidery. When some friends organized an exhibition themed around dogs, she had the idea to make a work in the shape of a life-size canine. Im lucky that the rugs sort of do inspire tender feelings in the people who see them, but that theyre also a bit uncanny, she says.The pieces weight and realistic details engender an intimate connection as they come to life, so to speak. I really feel like Ive built a relationship with the object, she says, adding: Sometimes the dogs I hook have wounds or scars. The dog rug Im working on right now is missing a little chunk of her ear. I want to depict them as they are, not stuffed animal versions.Find more on OLearys website and Instagram.Brown and Black Dog (2021), hand-hooked wool yarn on linenDetail of Mottled-leg Dog (2024), hand-hooked wool yarn on linenSandy Reddish Dog (2023), hand-hooked mostly-wool yarn on linenPhoto by Bucky MillerPhoto by Bucky MillerNext article

Seonna Hong, Rest as an Act of Defiance (2024), acrylic, oil pastel, and tape on raw canvas, 51 x 65 inches. Image courtesy of The Jaunt and Hashimoto Contemporary, shared with permissionFind Resources and Support for L.A. Artists Affected by the WildfiresJanuary 13, 2025ColossalColossalA series ofwildfireshave ravaged Los Angeles during the past week, claiming more than 12,000 structures and two dozen lives. Numerous artists and arts workers across the region are devastated by the loss of homes and studioseven entire careers worth of work. As fires continue and Los Angeles residents begin to comprehend the scale of the disaster, support for those affected is urgently needed.Whether youre seeking assistance or would like to learn how you can help, weve compiled a list of resources to get you started. Many of these link to further spreadsheets and donation sites, managed by both organizations and individuals, which receive updates on a regular basis as new opportunities emerge.Relief Funding and GrantsAdolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation Emergency GrantPainters, printmakers, and sculptors who have maintained a practice for a decade or longer may receive a one-time grant of up to $15,000 in assistance in light of a catastrophic event. Typical grants range from $5,000 to $7,000.Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)$3,000 emergency relief grants are available for individual craft artists using traditional or folk materials and who have public-facing practices, who have recently experienced a disruptive emergency or disaster.Artists Fellowship One-Time Emergency AidNeed-based financial assistance is available to professionalvisual artists and their families or dependents in the event of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement, or unexpected extreme hardship. The fellowship notes that professional artists make their livelihood through sales as reported on a Schedule C with a U.S. Federal tax return and that a demonstrated exhibition history is ideal.Rauschenberg Emergency Medical Grants for ArtistsThese grants provide need-based funding to artists who have experienced unexpected mental health, medical, or dental emergencies. The grant is open to artists in the visual arts, choreography, and a category called film/video/electronic/digital arts. Applicants cannot have earned more than $75,000 average gross income for their last two tax filings, or $150,000 for joint filers.Application closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14. Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency GrantUrgent grants are available for visual and performing artists who have sudden and unanticipated opportunities to exhibit or present with insufficient time to seek other sources of funding. Grants range from $500 to $3,000.FundraisersHelp LAs Artists and Art Workers Start Over on GoFundMeOrganized by Ariel Pittman, senior director of Various Small Fires, along with a team of volunteers, this GoFundMe aims to raise $500,000 to support the L.A. arts community.Hashimoto Contemporary Los Angeles Fire Relief FundraiserMore than twenty artists have donated original works and limited edition prints as prizes for the drawing. Each entry will qualify you for a chance to win one work. Entries close at 12:00 a.m. PT on January 15. Winners will be drawn at 12:00 p.m. PT on January 16, during a live event on Hashimoto Contemporarys Instagram Stories. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to a 501(c)3 assisting with community support. Purchase tickets.Fire Fundraisers ListThis running list compiles active GoFundMe campaigns and other ways to support individuals who have been affected by the fires.Anat Egbi Poster Sale to Support Alex EganEganis one of many who lost his home and studio. The artist was in the final days of completing works for his forthcoming solo show with Anat Egbi, set to open at the end of January. All of the works were burned in the fire. 100% of proceeds from the poster sale support the artist.Further resourcesA running list of resources to help artists impacted by the fires, including mutual aid like art supply donations, storage, donation campaigns, and general relief funding.A list of resources and ways to support artists and art workers in L.A., including mutual aid, regional and federal relief aid, and fundraisers for both individuals and the community.Los Angeles Homeless Services AuthorityGeneral resources to support those affected by the fires, including temporary housing, where to donate, access to food, health and medical, animal evacuation, and more.Next article

All images courtesy of LFZ Studio, shared with permissionAn Enormous Fractured Acorn Seeds Meditation Among the TreesJanuary 11, 2025DesignNatureGrace EbertIn a lush, wooded pocket in Rouen, France, a meditation space rests on the forest floor. Designed by Linfeng Zhou of Vancouver-based LFZ Studio, Le Monde dans un Gland, or The World in an Acorn, invites visitors into its shell to have a seat and reflect.Diamond-shaped, interlocking panels of marine plywood nest together to create the scaled cupule of the nut, which allows light to pierce through and cast dappled sun spots around the interior. The entrance mimics a crack in the shell before the root appears, which asks visitors to step inside and embrace the perspective of an awakening tree.Set atop concrete blocks and lined with weather-resistant materials, the immersive acorn is designed to withstand the wet, rainy climate without disrupting the forest ecosystem. Utilizing minimal nails and screws emphasizes a more natural building approach that relies on perfectly cut interlocking components rather than additional hardware.Find more from LFZ Studio on its website. (via designboom)Next article

Vincent Premel, Concert in the Forest. All images the photographers, courtesy of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, shared with permissionHelp Choose the Winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Peoples Choice AwardJanuary 10, 2025NaturePhotographyGrace EbertThe Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest received nearly 60,000 from 117 countries for its 2024 competition, an immense pool from which judges choose just 100 finalists. To bring the public into the selection process, the Natural History Museum, which develops and produces the annual event, has launched the Peoples Choice Award.Twenty-five stunning images are eligible for votes and capture a wide range of biological happenings around the globe. In Botswana, David Northall came upon an overly tenacious honey badger determined to snack on a porcupine despite the spiny creatures pointed attack. And in Bhigwan, India, Arvind Ramamurthy stumbled upon five wolvesa species with dwindling numbers given human encroachmentplaying in a lush meadow.The contest is open through January 29, so check out all 25 photos and cast your vote on the museums website.David Northall, SpikedPiotr Naskrecki, Snuffling SengiNora Milligan, Curious Connection Ian Wood, No AccessFrancisco Negroni, Earth and SkyArvind Ramamurthy, Wolf Pack Bence Mt, Annoying NeighbourNoam Kortler, Drifting DinnerWillie Burger van Schalkwyk, The Brave GeckoNext article

The White Heat of Cold Water (2024), oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 inches. All images courtesy of the artist and Hannah Barry Gallery, shared with permissionTime and Geography Dissolve in Otherworldly Landscapes by Sholto BlissettJanuary 10, 2025ArtKate MothesEncircled by light, water, or stone, the central subjects of Sholto Blissetts oil paintings simultaneously highlight and defy our aesthetic understanding of nature. Drawing on the rich history of landscapes, from the Dutch Golden Age to 19th-century British paintings to the Hudson River School, the artist illuminates spiritual associations and the universality of the sun, moon, the elements, and the earth. In his solo exhibition, Life in Deep Time, at Hannah Barry Gallery, Blissetts large-scale works explore the tenderness between natural architecture, ecological thought, human fantasy, and celestial forms of light and visibility, says a statement.Creatures of the Flame I (2024), oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 inchesBlissett often employs classical architecture or historical references that create a kind of gulf or divide between the scene and the viewer, separating us from the scene by time, geography, and a sense of the unknown.In his most recent works, architectural facades like grand palazzos or towering obelisks have been subtly replaced by the more organic forms of trees, caves, or boulders. Were ushered into subterranean realms flooded with moonlight, suggesting a continuum of prehistory through to the future.Blissett is fascinated by the scale of human existence. Think of the way you might feel peering out the window of an airplane and comprehending the magnitude of the world beneath youhow small you feel, and yet, how connected. Compared to millions-year-old caves, tectonic shifts, or dried sea beds, the time span of human existence reads as merely a speck within that timespan.Almost portrait-like, Blissett centers trees, monuments, and natural phenomena in each composition, silhouetted in the light and framed by rock walls or foliage as if the landscape has transformed into a boundless stage. Vertigo (2024), oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 inchesThe light itselfwhat it reveals or concealsis a character unto itself, reminding us of the limitations of sight, and that outside of the two-dimensional format of the painting, we are always enveloped by our surroundings. Blissett suggests that the darkness continues around and behind us, too, reiterating our focus toward the light, toward comfort and knowledge.Often more than six feet wide or nearly as tall, Blissetts expansive scenes approach immersion. He calls attention to our manufactured and shifting relationship between social constructions of nature and culturetheir cosmically entwined, spectral, and thorny coexistence, the gallery says. Life in Deep Time continues through February 8 in London, and a book published by Foolscap Editions to accompany the exhibition will be launched on January 25 with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. The artists work is also on view in The Silver Cord at Huxley Parlour, which continues through January 18. Find more on Blissetts website and Instagram.Borrowed Light (2024), oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 inchesShip of Fools II (2022), oil and acrylic on canvas, 94 1/2 x 78 3/4 inchesCreatures of the Flame II (2024), oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 inchesWorld Maker II (2024), oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 inchesFeral (2023), oil and acrylic on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 inchesWorld Maker I (2024), oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 118 inchesShip of Fools XII (20220, oil and acrylic on canvas on board, 43 3/8 x 39 3/8 inchesNext article

Mural on the Southeast Financial Center building in Miami, Florida. All images courtesy of Mantra and Justkids.art, shared with permissionMantras Murals Collect Enormous Butterflies in Building-Size Specimen CasesJanuary 10, 2025ArtNatureKate MothesFrench artist Youri Cansell, a.k.a. Mantra (previously) continues to brighten neighborhood streets and large cities alike with his vivid insect murals. Drawing on a fascination with nature and its preservation, he creates monumental specimen cases on buildings around the world, filled with a wide variety of butterflies.The artist recently completed his largest mural to date in Miami, positioned on the rooftop of the Southeast Financial Center building. Nestled into the surface of a characteristically organized case, a range of colorful butterflies rest alongside the structures utility systems.Detail of progress on mural in MiamiThe mural features numerous species, including the endangered Miami blue butterfly thats native to South Florida. Its always a pleasure to paint in Miami, a city that thrives on its vibrant mix of people and culturesmuch like the butterflies in my mural, which represent a diverse selection of specimens, the artist says.Additional recent projects include a giant glass-fronted display on the side of a building in Brooklyn and a towering, narrow composition in downtown Houston. Find more on Mantras website and Instagram.Houston, TexasBrooklyn, New YorkCrans-Montana, SwitzerlandBreda, The NetherlandsDetail of progress on mural in MiamiRombas, FranceDetail of progress on mural in MiamiNext article

Momo (2024), oil on canvas, 63 x 86 5/8 inches. All images courtesy of the artist and Marc Straus Gallery, New YorkTens of Thousands of Individual Dots Bring Ornamental Rugs to Life in Antonio Santns PaintingsJanuary 9, 2025ArtKate MothesFrom grid-like woven patterns to intertwined strands of fringe, Antonio Santns hyperrealistic oil paintings (previously) look incredibly similar to the ornamental carpets theyre modeled on. By studying real rugs and the way they scrunch, fold, and interact with light, he transfers these qualities to canvas. The overall designs, however, are a product of the artists imagination.Santn trained as a sculptor, and his eye for shapes and the power of contrast lent itself to paintings with tactile textures and a dimensionally illusory quality. In the past two years, as his technical skills allowed for far more detail than is found on a sewn carpet, he began to invent the entire image, says Marc Straus, who is presenting Santns work in the artists seventh solo show with the gallery. Detail of Puente de plataThe artist continues to employ a precisely calibrated pneumatic compressor that allows him to apply oil pigments millimeters at a time. Tens of thousands of individual dots are arranged to create a consistent rhythm across the entire surface.New paintings in Puente de plata, or silver bridge, celebrate the relationship between abstraction and pure pattern, reveling in vibrant color and intricacy in works that are more personal. The show opens tomorrow and continues through March 1 in New York. Explore more on the gallerys website and Santns Instagram.Puente de plata (2024), oil on canas, 63 x 85 5/8 inchesTafalla (2023), oil on canvas, 23 5/8 x 19 3/4 inchesVictoria (2024), oil on canvas, 94 1/2 x 78 3/4 inchesDetail of VictoriaDetail of VictoriaCarambola (2024), oil on canvas, 70 7/8 x 78 3/4 inchesAldealengua (2024), oil on canvas, 25 3/8 x 21 1/2 x 2 inches (framed)Detail of AldealenguaPuente de plata (2024), oil on canas, 63 x 85 5/8 inchesNext article

Elizaveta Porodina pushes the boundaries of modern photography in her 2024-25 collaboration with New York City Ballet. All images courtesy of the artistNew York City Ballet Art Series Presents Elizaveta PorodinaJanuary 9, 2025SponsorNew York City BalletElizaveta Porodina is a renowned photographer and artist based in Munich, Germany, whose work often features surreal, symbolic narratives, blending fashion, fine art, and documentary influences. Her background in clinical psychology shapes her work with the complexities of the human experience, using photography as a medium for exploring the subconscious mind.Working in a diverse range of styles from dark, cinematic portraits to vibrant, dreamlike compositions, Porodinas photography invites the viewer to embark on a journey through time and space, drawing them into deep, sometimes ambiguous, worlds. With a keen eye for cinematic compositions and a profound connection to the emotional power of imagery, she continues to push the boundaries of modern photography in her 2024-25 collaboration with New York City Ballet.Porodinas work will be on view at three special New York City Ballet Art Series performances on January 24, 31, and February 8 eve. The evenings will include a ballet performance, viewing of the installation, and a post-performance afterparty where all tickets are priced at $54 (including fees).To learn more and purchase tickets, visit nycballet.com/artseries.Next article

All images Laura K. Sayers, shared with permissionVibrant Morsels of Paper Come Together in Laura K. Sayers Stamp CollectionJanuary 8, 2025CraftIllustrationJackie AndresGlasgow-based artist Laura K. Sayers creates tiny paper worlds that sit within the compact margins of a stamp. Illustrating childrens books and whipping up projects for magazines leaves the artist with plenty of small scraps given another life through a series of layered postage.Sayers begins by choosing a color palette, carefully selecting harmonious shades of paper and oftentimes painting over sheets to achieve the perfect tone. Referencing her own photographs, the artist then creates quick thumbnails to loosely guide her process. Using sharp scissors and a scalpel, layers of meticulously cut paper begin to take the shape of familiar landscapes, finished with perforated edges and sometimes nestled within a painted frame.Even though these stamps are very small anddetailed, they have a lot of satisfying limitations to them: cropping a scene, using a limited color palette, and the amount of detail youcan actually fit in when youre cutting shapes on that scale, Sayers explains.As someone who regularly overcomplicates things, I find these restrictions quite helpful and a good challenge.Sayers is working on a few book projects and planning her future stamp collections. Next month, a few of her pieces will be exhibited in Portland at Nucleus Gallery, so be sure to follow the artist on Instagram and see her website for more updates.Next article