LET THOSE BRIDGES BURN, Kent ODoherty, 2024, 18oz duck canvas and polyester thread, 79 x 27.5 x 12 in. / 200.66 x 69.85 x 30.48 cm.

The Conceptual Geometry of Kent O’Doherty’s Canvas Sculptures

November 26, 2024 Gavin Coates

Featured image: LET THOSE BRIDGES BURN, Kent ODoherty, 2024, 18oz duck canvas and polyester thread, 79 x 27.5 x 12 in. / 200.66 x 69.85 x 30.48 cm.

Kent O’Doherty’s recent works exemplify the transformative potential of 15oz duck canvas and polyester thread.

Kent O'Doherty transforms canvas into fluid, hand-stitched sculptures exploring movement, tension, and identity. His fully hand-stitched works blur traditional textile boundaries, evoking raw narratives of transformation and perception.

These fully hand-stitched creations invite viewers to explore the interplay of form, texture, and conceptual narratives through intricately folded and stitched fabric sculptures that blur the boundaries between traditional textile art and contemporary sculpture.

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KARMA VANDAL, Kent ODoherty, 2024, 15oz duck canvas and polyester thread, 28.5 x 17 x 5 in. / 72.39 x 43.18 x 12.7 cm.

In Karma Vandal (2024), O’Doherty transforms 15oz duck canvas into a sculptural narrative that captivates with its dynamic curves and folds. The fabric, hand-stitched into flowing, layered forms, evokes a sense of movement and impermanence, as if caught mid-transformation. The absence of stiffeners or extra hardware highlights the artist’s mastery over the medium, allowing the material to speak through its natural texture and weight. By capturing both tension and softness, O’Doherty’s work suggests themes of consequence and transformation, encouraging the viewer to reflect on the balance between control and release inherent in human experiences.

THE CULT DOESN'T LOVE YOU, Kent O'Doherty, 2024, 15oz duck canvas and polyester thread, 29 x 15 x 4.5 in. / 73.66 x 38.1 x 11.43 cm.

The Cult Doesn’t Love You pushes the boundaries of textile art by embodying tension and rejection through its precisely arranged folds and curves. Hand-stitched without any added stiffeners, the piece exudes a strikingly raw, emotive energy. The layered, flowing forms suggest an internal struggle, reflecting on the pressures of societal norms, conformity, and rejection. The work’s tactile surface invites a visceral connection, urging viewers to confront the discomfort and alienation that may arise within rigid structures. O’Doherty’s skillful manipulation of fabric conveys vulnerability and resilience, transforming the canvas into an emotional narrative that resonates deeply.

ONLY REAL IS REAL, Kent O'Doherty, 2024, 15oz duck canvas and polyester thread, 46.5 x 12 x 4.5 in. / 118.11 x 30.48 x 11.43 cm.

Only Real is Real showcases O’Doherty’s dedication to form and texture, using elongated folds of 15oz duck canvas to evoke a striking visual journey. The verticality and curvature of the piece suggest both a sense of ascension and the complexity of grounded reality. The meticulous hand-stitching creates undulating forms that interact with light and shadow, producing a dynamic sculptural presence. Through this work, O’Doherty challenges the viewer’s perception of materiality and authenticity, inviting contemplation on what it means to grasp reality in a constantly shifting world.

Kent O’Doherty’s works—Karma Vandal, The Cult Doesn’t Love You, and Only Real is Real—redefine the boundaries of textile art, merging intricate craftsmanship with conceptual depth. Through hand-stitched forms and raw, tactile narratives, O’Doherty invites us to explore the intersections of movement, tension, and identity, creating profound visual experiences that resonate far beyond the canvas.

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