Gaby Schank
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Studio Creature 01
2020
Carpet, wood, fabric, and paint
7 x 13 feet
Statement
My artistic practice has been a search for ways to transform abandoned materials back into valuable objects. Through the processes of building and painting I create artworks that I piece together into a playful installation. The beginning of my process involves collecting materials. I go searching for unwanted objects that would normally end up in a landfill: carpet, foam, plywood, plastic bags, etc. I create piles of these materials in my studio so I can instinctively reach for any material I want at that moment. All of my excess material I save, and most of it becomes stuffing for my soft sculptures. Using these man-made materials, I depict an abstracted interpretation of the natural world. The shapes I choose reference the human body, animals, plants, and landscape; all brought together into a textural, swirling environment.
General Fine Arts (BFA) Students