Matthew Schellenberg's sculptural creations fuse mixed media to challenge and provoke.
Matthew Schellenberg is a sculptor known for his mixed media pieces that blend wood and steel to explore themes of beauty, wisdom, and the human condition.
His works are not merely sculptures but conversations in wood and steel, each piece telling a story of beauty, wisdom, and the weight of existence. "Her Beauty Gained Her Everything," "They Spoke Such Wonderful Words of Wisdom," and "Surely The Next One Would Satisfy And Set Him Free" stand as testaments to Schellenberg's innovative approach to form and material.
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Her Beauty Gained Her Everything, Matthew Schellenberg, 2020, mixed media, 85 x 31 x 58 in. / 215.9 x 78.74 x 147.32 cm.
"Her Beauty Gained Her Everything" is a poignant exploration of the concept of beauty and its societal implications. The elegant, wood-crafted figure is both grounded and elevated, suggesting a duality of beauty as both a blessing and a burden. The sculpture's expansive wings, detailed meticulously, speak to the heights one can reach through beauty, while the solid wood and steel base imply the grounding of reality.
They Spoke Such Wonderful Words of Wisdom, Matthew Schellenberg, 2023, mixed media, 70 x 84 x 70 in. / 177.8 x 213.36 x 177.8 cm.
In "They Spoke Such Wonderful Words of Wisdom," Schellenberg presents a woman in harmonious discourse with nature, exemplified by the owls perched upon her. The interaction between the figures carved from wood and their steel supports reflects a symbiosis between the natural and the manufactured. This piece captures the essence of wisdom as a natural force, profound and delicate.
Surely The Next One Would Satisfy And Set Him Free, Matthew Schellenberg. 2022, mixed media, 42 x 72 x 30 in. / 106.68 x 182.88 x 76.2 cm.
"Surely The Next One Would Satisfy And Set Him Free" is a haunting representation of the quest for fulfillment. The kneeling man, weighed down by chains, is a powerful allegory for the human condition's struggles. Schellenberg's use of chains crafted in mixed media highlights the tangible and psychological burdens that aspirations can impose on the individual.
Matthew Schellenberg's sculptures are masterful blends of artistry and message. Through the medium of wood and the strength of steel, he weaves narratives that are both personal and universal. His sculptures stand as a powerful reminder of the varied facets of human experience—beauty, wisdom, and the pursuit of satisfaction. Each work invites introspection and dialogue, making Schellenberg a unique voice in contemporary sculpture.
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