Word: rydingsvard
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With organic materials, von Rydingsvard evokes human forms and organs, shapes that through their elemental nature engage the viewer by engendering thoughts on the fundamentals of human existence. Her works bring to mind body parts like lips, eyes and stomachs abstractly represented by protrusions, rounded interiors, linear extensions and rhythmic undulations. Using cedar as her primary medium, she designs and executes these forms masterfully, shaping each block of wood into a patterned whole...
...shapes included in her work give way to thoughts on human relationships—conception, filial ties and friendships. While suggested by the pure form of her sculptures, von Rydingsvard also explicitly references these subjects through titles. The name of the monolithic, honeycombed work “For Paul” references the artist’s husband. “Mama, Your Legs” harkens to something more elemental, as the artist herself has commented...
...Rydingsvard spoke of her progression from her simple, nature-based period in the 1970s to her current work with gargantuan pieces. During her earlier period, she planted installations in various locales including Battery Park City in Manhattan and the country near Niagara Falls in upstate New York. With her maturation in the medium, however, she created increasingly larger structures, pieces that now no longer fit in her studio. The artist easily recalled the exact measurements of nearly every piece shown, revealing her close connection with the process of creating the works...
...sculptor’s artistic progression was also marked by the introduction of new materials into her work. Von Rydingsvard told the audience about a visit to an American Indian museum on the west coast. Here she was inspired by functional pieces made with walrus intestines. Based on this organic idea, she then incorporated animal parts—cow stomachs and hog intestines—into her work. Despite the gruesome sound of these materials, the resulting work is surprisingly elegant. The final surfaces appear smooth and supple, much like leather but not as artificial. As in her other work...
...currently on display at the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase, New York. The show, which runs until May 5, includes work made specifically for the challenging space of the gallery that tends to make works look small. The call to create engaging work came easily to von Rydingsvard, however, whose work has never lacked scale and grandeur...