Concrete Inspiration

Well, one man-made thing we do see drawn (sometimes literally) into the work of polymer artists is the texture we find in walls and paths–bricks, stepping stones, rock walls, and cobblestone streets. These come pretty close to being nature-based with the stone or stone like elements that make up these walls, walks, and roads; but it’s what the structures themselves represent that often draws us to them. Walls represent things like protection or barriers, and roads are symbols of opportunity or the unknown future. The textures of these things can, on their own, bring up the same associations. Whether the association is positive or less so, most people will feel a connection to these things and so we see, in our easily textured medium, the regular appearance of elements that represent walls and roads.

These necklaces by Spain’s Noelia Contreras bring the textures of a man-made concrete or stone structure into a a spiritual realm by having these textures frame runes and stand as the base for rune stones in these pieces presented as amulets. The pieces are full of implied and literal symbols; without even knowing what the runes are, you get from them collectively a sense of ritual, myth, and history.

I’ll let these pieces stand as introduction to two other types of man-made elements that we often see in polymer art, elements that are filled with meaning and have a long history for mankind. Can you identify what they might be? We’ll talk about them in the next couple posts. Just wanted to get you thinking. You are welcome to post your guesses!