“It’s all in the head,” might best describe two concurrent thought-provoking exhibitions on view at the Barry Friedman Ltd. gallery in Chelsea. Sergei Isupov’s “He + She,” is a group of sensational, oversized, head sculptures and Takahiro Kondo’s “Reflections” represents the artist’s first self-portraits and first venture into experimenting with new media like metal and cast glass. Born into distinct and disparate worlds, both artists use techniques representing the traditions and aesthetics of their cultural heritage and each communicates his beliefs, personal experiences, and issues related to universal themes.
Russian born, American-based Sergei Isupov takes narrative subject matter and merges it with ceramic sculptural form that are often viewed as erotic Surrealism. Daring representation of sexuality (male/female heads are often androgynous), relationships and human encounter are illustrated through elaborate designs on the surface that morph into three-dimensional hands, arms, legs and feet leading to the underside to reveal dream-like vignettes. These busts, some in bold color, look playful and lively catching the viewer’s attention with their facial expressions and intriguing stories Isupov draws in pencil directly on the surface. Isupov works in clay creating dimensional forms from the inside out, uses stain for color, adds transparent glazes, and then fires the sculpture in an electric kiln. In addition to three-dimensional ceramic sculptures, the exhibition features his works on paper that explore scale, surface, and dimensionality.
Contemporary Japanese artist Takahiro Kondo’s new body of work, “Reflections,” is a series of 25 life casts of the artist’s head where water-like glazes that had washed over earlier works now wash over his head and face demonstrating a continuity from the past to present. Kondo’s “mist technique” (or gintekisai glaze) is repeated to provide a luminescent finish and strong textural quality to mimic water, which he views as the 21st century’s chief environmental issue. The glazing, color palette and design of each head are unique, and although they reference specific themes and concepts from the artist’s past, these new pieces go beyond the decorative to the conceptual reflecting his philosophy and concerns. Two dichotomous examples are on view: heads glazed with gold and precious metals marking man’s obsession with material goods and excess leading to environmental imbalances; and pit-fired clay heads that are left to organically falter based on their natural properties.
Editor’s Note: “Sergei Isupov: He+She” is presented in collaboration with the Ferrin Gallery; several of Takahiro Kondo’s works are also on display as part of the “Kondo Yutaka: The Transformation of a Kyoto Family” at the Joan B. Mirviss gallery through 12/17/2010 – see VandM.com article from 11/15/2010 “Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Take Manhattan.” “He +She” and “Reflections” are on view through 1/22/2011 at the Barry Friedman Gallery Ltd. (http://www.barryfriedmanltd.com/).
Untitled (Camellia), 2010
