These sculptures by Calvin Ma may look like the wooden toys that inspired them, but they are detailed ceramic figures he calls “Homebodies”. The artist will debut the latest in this ongoing series at Modern Eden Gallery on November 15th. He shares some of the personal meaning behind his totem-esque heroes: “My work draws inspiration from the toys and action figures I had growing up. As an introverted and socially awkward kid, the plastic heroes, villains and their vehicles helped me cope with my inability to socialize. They served as an escape for me and soon became a passion. Now, as an introverted and socially awkward adult, I create artwork that reflects on the struggles I have with social anxiety.” ‘Recollective’ refers to Ma’s revisiting this theme, mixed with new elements like cars and planes. This isn’t just an exploration of the artist’s emotion, but also medium, as he incorporates glaze, stain, twine, and resin. Paired with such delicate materials, the figures become playful symbols of the artist’s fragility.
Matching the look of flesh has always been and is still considered one of the most demanding tasks for any artist. It is notoriously difficult for many reasons, making it a subject of intrigue throughout history. Brooklyn based sculptor 
Lucy McRae's new "Compression Carpet offers a full embrace for those who feel like they need a hug, a meditation on how technology can aid intimacy or support. The "body architect" recently showed the device at Festival of the Impossible in San Francisco. For some, the device may recall the hug machine created by Temple Grandin for stress relief and therapy. With her device, McCrae says, you "relinquish control to the hands of a stranger as your 'servicer' decides the firmness of your hug."
In what the artist himself calls "homespun faerie tales", 
While many of us can’t keep a decent castle together,