Clark Derbes' Shapescapes @ Helen Day Art Center

Since seeing Clark Derbes' wood sculptures this summer at the Burlington Art Hop, I've been a big fan. So I was really looking forward to his solo show at the Helen Day Art Center in Stowe, VT and I'm happy to say I haven't been disappointed. Clark calls this new series of wood sculptures "Shapescapes." I asked him why and all he said was that it is the name that stuck. I can see his point, their erratic, warped cuts, and random angles makes me think that the piece is changing form in front of my eyes. It is an uneasy feeling as if I'm looking into a world in which I have know idea what I'll see around the corner. Each movement creates a shift in perception so that you are continually looking at a new sculpture as you move around a piece. It is very different than any other sculpture that I've ever seen. As a result, I've needed to post many more images than I normally would so that readers can get at least a small sense of what the pieces are about. 

I'm particularly captivated by Time Traveler III. Being on a pedestal and being able to walk around it accentuates its dramatically different viewpoints.

Time Traveler III

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Time Traveler III

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Time Traveler III

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Time Traveler III

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Looking at these five images now, it is hard for me to believe that they are all of only one sculpture. If I hadn't been to the show, and known that there was only one checkered sculpture on a pedestal, I wouldn't believe that it is the same piece.

Time Traveler III

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Though you can't walk around the wall pieces, they still playfully test the viewers perception of perspective.

Time Traveler IV

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

As you move to the left, the piece seems to warp in front of your eyes, as if light doesn't behave like you expect it to.

Time Traveler IV

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Time Traveler IV

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Another thing I like about Clark's work is its approachability and casualness. In addition to the playful approachability of the optical effects, the rough cuts, the wearing down/"antiquing" of the colors, and the natural checking/splitting of the wood result in art that creates a relaxed and fun environment. Though fun art can sometimes be saccharine, the abstract subject of these gives them a more cerebral quality.  

 Time Traveler IX (seated portrait)

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Time Traveler IX (seated portrait)

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

The black and white pieces as well as the colored triangle ones have a Stella-esque feel in design if not aloofness. The triangles even seem to cause another perspective bending effect as with Time Traveler X, the point of the triangles conflict with the actual angles of the sculpture.

Time Traveler X (seated portrait)

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

 Time Traveler X (seated portrait)

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Time Traveler VIII (seated portrait)

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Time Traveler VIII (seated portrait)

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Clark doesn't go to a lumber yard for his material, he gets it by chance. If he sees someone cutting down a tree, he'll ask for some pieces. He then cuts the green logs with a chainsaw. Because the lumber is still very wet, it splits as it drys. The effect creates and irreverent aspect to the work. It is another way of saying that fine art doesn't have to be precious to be appreciated.

Time Traveler

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

Again, it is hard to believe that these two images are of the same piece. I'm simply making an assumption based on their proximity from my camera download.

Time Traveler

carved and polychromed poplar

2011

I had seen this piece previously at the Art Hop show. Being ash, it is quite dense and heavy. Clark estimated that it weighed about 500 lbs. I think it is the most approachable sculpture in the show, perhaps because its unpainted and scarified surface. It seems to beg to be joined in repose.

Time Traveler XI

carved ash

2011

Time Traveler XI

carved ash

2011

And finally, I normally don't include non-wood art on my blog but I'm making an exception for this encaustic piece because it looks to be a painting of one of Clark's wood sculptures (earlier series). What a great subject -- a figurative painting of an abstractly painted abstract sculpture. Besides, I really love the texture and colors.

 

Concentric Hypercube

encaustic