Erika Sanada’s ceramic sculptures invite observers into a world where the boundaries between beauty and the grotesque blur seamlessly, transforming familiar forms into extraordinary creatures. Her work serves as a visual exploration of symbiosis, where contrastive elements coexist in a dance that is as alluring as it is unsettling. Each piece is a showcase of Sanada’s ability to channel the surreal, presenting animals with elongated limbs or hybrid features that evoke an unexpected harmony between the sinister and the serene. Her sculptures are not mere objects; they are conversations between the known and the unknown, where elegance intersects with the eerie in an intriguing plot twist of nature and imagination.
In Sanada’s unique artistic realm, viewers experience a symbiotic relationship that challenges perceptions and compels a deeper contemplation of life’s dualities. These ceramic marvels explore themes of vulnerability and resilience, reflecting on how beauty can emerge from chaos and discomfort. The uncanny allure of her creations stems from their ability to both disturb and delight, drawing us closer to the darker, often unexamined facets of existence. The creatures live in a suspended reality, seemingly born from a dream in which the boundaries blur, inviting us to question the conventional definitions of beauty and discomfort. This journey through Erika Sanada’s artistry is one of wonder, a gentle reminder of the beauty in embracing life’s complexities.
My work reflects the weird and the creepy. I am fascinated with the dark side. (…) Beautiful and disturbing are terms I hear when people talk about my work and I love that these two terms are not often used together. Life: beautiful and disturbing.
Erika Sanada
More info: Website, Instagram (h/t: Beinart Gallery).
