metamorphosis delayed...

~ artist unknown

Gwen Roch

It's work like this that excites me the most! French artist, Gwen Roch's "Cabinets de Curiosités" explore the relationship between the natural and supernatural world. Each cabinet is a sacred work, a personal mythology.



They remind me of the Catholic reliquiries that house the bones of dead Saints. Devout Catholics carry bits of these bones called relics, they offer protection from the forces of evil. These practices are obviously are rooted in Paganism that pre-dates Christianity. A Pagan Shaman, like a Catholic Priest make amulets and talismans and consecrate them as Sacred objects.



Each Cabinet has a front and rear that are both scenes and sculptures. You can get a closer look on Gwen's Website. In an interview she explains:

Q: Your cabinets all have an element in the back

A: Yes there is a front and rear that are both scenes and sculptures. I always place behind the sharp weapons, knives, choppers ... to kill the fears. It is a way to protect myself, a talisman. There is also something else, the presence of horns on the sides or above. It is a defense against the more Cornu against the forces of evil.

Q: You believe in evil?

A: Yes, but this would be our ability to do harm, our inner violence.


See also: Lucy Harvey

Keith E. Lo Bue

Keith E. Lo Bue is my one of my favorite mixed media artists, if not my favorite! Every little detail in his found object art assemblages is amazing and awe inspiring! Much of his art is wearable, I'm particularly drawn to his neck odornments. I couldn't decide on just one piece so I chose three! You really need to go to his website to explore each piece up close. Make sure you click on each image to see the fine details of each piece. This one for example has eight views...the back is magnificent too, if you peep through the lens, a tiny surprise is revealed!

Amy Leonard * Under Glass

Amy Leonard creates the most incredible assemblages inside large glass apothecary jars and domes. Each one emits a soft magical glow...yes, they light up! You can view her entire light catalog HERE.








*Found via Serenity Now

Geoffrey Gorman

ARTIST STATEMENT
"A broken bent tree branch, bleached from sun and rain, makes me think of weathered bones: fingers, legs, backbone, and hip bone. Old stained strips of cloth act like bandages and clothing, hiding and holding it all together. Sculpted wax covers the frame and joints of wood. Found and lost objects assembled into curious and evocative shapes is what excites me.
When I am making objects, I think of model airplanes made of balsa wood, then covered in thin transparent paper. Or I see decoys and shapes made to attract wild animals. I visited a museum in Alaska that had drawers filled with toys that had been put together, used and collected from previous cultures. I also think of a forest of tall, dark trees covered in moss and moisture, a silent, meditative place." Geoffrey Gorman

Lucy Harvey

Lucy Harvey has moved her blog, the format is so much better for viewing her work. If you are not already familiar with Lucy, she's an amazing assemblage artist! Her current body of work explores objects in medico/magica religious belief systems. The objects she creates look like ancient, supernatural amulets and talismans. Visit her flickr photostream to view photos from her Museum visits! Visual bliss...



"Divination Tools"

WICKED SWANK

My friend Robyn Von Swank is coming to stay with me for a week here in Chicago! I'm super excited! She's an amazing photographer and assemblage artist. She's going to shoot my products and we'll also work on a few theme oriented photo projects that will support the products and services of BELOVED & CO. I'm going for the whole NeoVictorian aesthetic. She's is the only photographer I know that can capture the images how I'd like to see them. She has a really impressive portfolio and has worked with many Eccentric Personalities. For example, the Queen of Rouge Taxidermy, Sarina Brewer. I should devote an entire blog about Sarina at some point...she's phenomenal! Meanwhile visit her website Custom Creature Taxidermy.



This photograph is one of my favorites! The model here is genius, Thomas J. Kuntz, creator of art and automata. When I'm rich and famous, I would love to commission him to make me a Victorian Fortune Telling Penny Arcade Machine...Madame Fortuna...Knows All...See All! HeeHee!



Did I mention Robyn makes fabulous Cabinets of Curiosities? They are available to purchase on her website! However, if you'd like to view more of her Photography, go to her Myspace page. She's a busy bee and I'd imagine she hasn't had the time to update her site! She recently moved to Hollywood and I think she's gonna be a big deal out there soon. So if you'd like to work with her...contact her now, before she's too busy!