Layer, Cut, Roll, Repeat and … Wow
Repeating elements can add such energy to a piece. Especially if you push the elements just a little and add some contrast to make it pop.
Here Eva Ehmeier uses her small layered and rolled elements repeated across a donut form to create a piece that almost looks alive. I don’t think it would have quite the impact if it weren’t for the little details each element has … the subtle stripes in the purple layers, the layering you can see in the sides of the elements and that yellow boldly peeking out from within the rolls. The deep texture these elements create are contrasted with a silver band following the same form. I’m not sure the texture on the silver was needed but the contrast of materials really makes the polymer stand out and adds elegance.
If you work with repeated elements a lot (or would like to) how can you add extra interest to the elements themselves? Its something to ponder.
And if you are intrigued by the possibilities of using layered edges, make sure you get a copy of our Spring issue of The Polymer Arts due out on the 18th of this month. Susan O’Neill offers a plethora of ideas on using visual and structural aspects of layering in polymer. It’s great stuff.
Remarkably like the Ford Forlano hydro pin- the use of textured silver , the round structure filled out by polymer- distinctive to them for many years. Do your research- this piece seems very plagiarized.
Thanks for your comment, Dmansini. I must beg to differ though on the leveling of an accusation of plagiarism since its only similar in the basic form. I am quite familiar with the Ford/Forlano pins as well as other artist who also do donut forms with mixed elements. The metal band is not uncommon–I had a friend in art school who made donut pendants and pins with silver over copper just this way (where the copper would replace the polymer) and that was 25 years ago. Eva may certainly have been inspired by F/F but where their shapes are organic hers is precise; where they apply surface design she forms and builds. I find that quite different. All in all, its hard to literally “plagerize” in craft arts. We borrow from each other, a common and expected practice (what if Skinner had kept her blended color sheets to herself?!), but its really difficult to make quality work so like another person’s art as to say its a direct copy due to all the many invisible steps it would take to recreate a piece.
And “plagerize” is certainly a word I would like to see used in a more cautious manner. I myself have been accused of copying someone else’s technique only to find out they didn’t discover what they thought was an original idea until a year after I had been selling pieces using the process. As a community we often come to similar conclusions and similar ideas but via different paths. It happens all the time. So one should really be very careful saying something is plagiarized as it will be rare to know this for certain and it maligns that person’s reputation without basis. The true artist will always rise to the top as their vision and talent can never be copied.
While i appreciate your response, i do not agree. Its not about whether her shapes are organic or formed. The textured silver band with polymer coming from the band is a nearly exact replica. While i have no issue with artists being inspired buy others, we all do, i DO take issue when the artist from whom the idea is taken is not credited or even given a nod to in reference. That is what plagiarizing is- taking the work or idea of someone else. This piece is too close to F/F to not mention them . The hydro pin is a work for which they are well known. Not in the “basic form”- that is a circle , which obviously exists everywhere- its the way the shape was constructed and the same use of materials in the same manner~ not a donut with copper , no- a circular shape with textured silver and polymer in similar proportions to the F/F pin. While the way she used the polymer may be different, it is still polymer. Same materials used in almost the same way for a pin. A simple mention of F/F in this article is not only warranted, in my opinion it is necessary.
I sincerely appreciate your concern for credit being given where credit is due. Unfortunately, unless the artist makes note of where their inspiration comes from I make no assumptions and only bring up similar artists when it is relevant to the subject. In this case, the idea of repetition of sculptural elements did not make that connection. Perhaps you have seen versions of the pins I have not for I see no similarity in their pieces beyond form and using the same two common materials.
For those reading this, if you are interested in the F/F pins mentioned here is a selection from their website: http://fordforlano.com/blog/wordpress-content/uploads/2011/01/20-pins.jpg
I welcome any input on this interesting discussion.
Its a stunning piece and although I can see the similarity (shape and the band) with the F/F pins I think that this piece takes it way way beyond where the the F/F pins leave off and hence would have to be seen as an original piece that has possibly had some inspiration somewhere from the F/F pins, the reality is that we all take our inspiration from what we see around us…whether it be another artist, nature or whatever without this following we would all be blank canvas’s with no ideas for any of these wonderful creations…This one actually reminds more of some sort of flower pod.