Mexican artist Emil Melmoth crafts bleak, yet absorbing sculptures that combine gothic and religious themes. Or as the artist puts it himself, he’s “inspired on the macabre, death culture, freakshow, medical anatomica, catholicism, deformities.” The artist’s works are currently part of the show “The Wanderer’s Dissection” at Last Rites Gallery in New York, lasting through Sept. 9.
“Melmoth’s works have a darkly surreal allure to them, as the compositions fuse religious symbolism and carnival-esque demeanor within a surgical overtone, juxtaposing ideas of religious immortality and paradise with the reality of bodily imperfection, dissection, and truths of scientific knowledge,” a recent statement says. “Horrifically mutilated and contorted figures with missing limbs in iconic poses such as the crucifixion make up Melmoth’s body of work.”
These works often use epoxy clay, metal, wood, and other materials. The sizes range from smaller works to nearly human-sized pieces.
To mark the Mexican holiday of Día de Muertos, artist Raymundo Medina of the Jaén Cartonería family collective dreamed up enormous skeletons that appear to be emerging from the pavement. The massive cardboard works can be found in Santa Cecilia Tláhuac, Mexico. The artist often works with Yaocalli Indians in erecting these creations, Miguel Angel Luna says. The annual holiday runs through tomorrow.
Maurizio Savini has worked with chewing gum in his sculptures for more than 20 years. In that time, the artist has moved between Pop-influenced work, animal creations inspired by children’s tales, and more socially charged efforts. The Italian artist’s pieces, ranging handheld to massive in size, has been shown in gallery shows and exhibitions across the globe.
In En Iwamura’s recent show at Ross+Kramer Gallery's East Hampton venue, the artist explores the concept of “Ma,” a philosophical Japanese concept focusing on spatial awareness between entities. His vibrant creations, with their distinct structure and playfulness, give viewers the chance to consider Ma with his creatures.