Stephanie Kilgast, a French artist, isn’t one to shy away from unconventional materials. Her captivating sculptures transform discarded objects into vibrant ecosystems teeming with colorful plant, coral, and fungus recreations. Kilgast’s work transcends mere aesthetics; it’s a powerful commentary on the delicate balance between human activity and the natural world.
By breathing life into cast-off items, Kilgast compels us to confront the environmental impact of our consumerist culture. The discarded objects she uses – a chipped teacup, a broken doll, a tattered book – represent the waste we generate and the carelessness with which we often treat our surroundings. Yet, by adorning them with meticulously crafted organic forms, Kilgast offers a glimpse of a world where nature reclaims its dominion, even over our discards.
Kilgast’s sculptures are more than just a visual spectacle; they spark a dialogue about humanity’s role as stewards of the planet. They serve as a potent reminder of the beauty and resilience of nature, urging us to find a more sustainable way of living in harmony with our environment.
My work is an ode to life. I use trash, old objects and books onto which I create a vibrant, abounding representation of plants, animals and fungi. This wild encounter of natural forms and bright colors onto human-made objects come to life in my sculptural and pictorial work. Humans are a part of nature, which we often like to forget, creating an artificial barrier of tar between us and the mud. Unfortunately, by destroying our environment so radically, we are destroying ourselves. It is up to us to find an equilibrium between our activities, and our desire to thrive intellectually and culturally, without completely eradicating our very home. With my choice of bold and vibrant colors, I offer a cheerful post-apocalyptic world. While I talk about a heavy subject, the disastrous impact of human activities, I also wish that people leave my work with a feeling of happiness and hope, and keep fighting. In the end, through my work, I would like to provoke wonder of the living while questioning the status quo of our current societies.
Stephanie Kilgast
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