South Africa-born, Massachusetts-based artist Jennifer Maestre creates other-world kinesthetic sculptures using thousands and thousands of colored pencils. She gets inspiration from animals, plants, mythology, other types of art, and artworks of artists such as Ernst Haeckel and Odilon Redon to shape her organic pieces.
My sculptures were originally inspired by the form and function of the sea urchin. The spines of the urchin, so dangerous yet beautiful, serve as an explicit warning against contact. The alluring texture of the spines draws the touch in spite of the possible consequences. The tension unveiled, we feel push and pull, desire and repulsion. The sections of pencils present aspects of sharp and smooth for two very different textural and aesthetic experiences. Paradox and surprise are integral in my choice of materials.
Jennifer Maestre
More info: Website.
