Top Sculptors in 2019 and Beyond: Mastering Form and Material
The Best Sculptors of 2019 and Beyond: Mastering Form and Material
When discussing the best sculptors of the year 2019 and beyond, a selection of names stand out. These artists have not only pushed the boundaries of traditional sculpture but have also blurred the lines between art and life. Let's explore the works of some of these visionary artists and understand why their contributions are so significant.
Matthew Barney
Matthew Barney is often regarded as one of the greatest living sculptors. His work exemplifies a deep understanding of form and material that few can match. Barney is not just a sculptor but a multidisciplinary artist whose projects often span theater, film, and installation. His most notable work, The Cremaster Cycle, involves both sculpture and live performance, creating a rich tapestry of narrative and visual elements.
Antony Gormley
Antony Gormley is another artist who has revolutionized the field of sculpture. Known for his human forms and their relation to the environment, Gormley's works often address themes of existence and the physicality of the human body. His installation of a six-meter-high cast bronze figure, Angel of the North, is a prime example of his blend of minimalist form and large-scale presence. Gormley's sculptures are not just objects hanging in space but are deeply embedded in the landscape, evoking a sense of the invisible and the corporeal.
Richard Serra
Richard Serra is celebrated for his large-scale, site-specific sculptures that often alter the viewer's spatial experience. His use of materials like steel and lead creates immersive environments that challenge our perception of space and gravity. Serra's monumental Torsion structures are particularly impressive, their forms and dimensions emphasizing the relationship between the artist, the material, and the space in which they are placed. The emotional and physical impact of his work is profound, inviting the viewer to engage with the sculpture on a visceral level.
Matthew Ronay
Matthew Ronay is an artist who explores the materiality of sculpture with a unique perspective. His work often blurs the line between installation and sculpture, using everyday materials like plastic and metal to create forms that are both familiar and alien. Ronay's Clover series, for instance, features large, abstract forms that seem to challenge the space, encouraging viewers to question the nature of form itself.
Trisha Donnelly
Trisha Donnelly is known for her innovative and often controversial works that challenge conventional notions of sculpture. Her use of everyday materials and found objects to create large-scale installations reflects a democratic and accessible approach to art. Donnelly's Fields series, which features simple, repetitive forms, invites viewers to experience the installations on a group level, embodying a sense of community and shared experience.
Sterling Ruby
Sterling Ruby is a sculptor and painter whose works often address themes of urban life and social critique. His experimentation with materials and forms is both a reflection of and a critique of contemporary society. Ruby's sculptures are bold and dynamic, using a range of materials to create forms that are both powerful and unsettling. His work often engages with issues of identity and race, making it relevant to a wide audience.
Liam Gillick
Liam Gillick is an artist who creates works that blur the lines between architecture, sculpture, and theory. His installations often involve transforming spaces to create new experiences for the viewer. Gillick's work is interdisciplinary, addressing social and political issues through a sculptural lens. His Turbulence series, for example, uses architecture to construct critical narratives about the world around us.
Conclusion
From Matthew Barney to Liam Gillick, these sculptors exemplify the diversity and depth of contemporary sculpture. Their works not only challenge traditional forms and materials but also expand the discussion around the role of art in society. As we look to the future, these artists continue to inspire and challenge, pushing the envelope of what it means to be a sculptor in the 21st century.