Human Element – Cement & Stone Forms by Sculptor Collin Townsend Velkoff

After spending many years viewing sculpture and different types of art I think it’s natural to become a little nonchalant in this medium and skim past some of the more neutral looking sculptures that you regularly see. I suppose with sculpture it’s all about context and the surroundings that they’re placed in, but modern artists tend to approach sculpture or art from the angle of trying to shock or make some kind of statement. When I saw sculptor Collin Townsend Velkoff’s work for the first time my eyes instantly lit up.

Born in Williamsport, Pennsylavnia but now living in Helsinki, Finland Collin’s works are finely balanced between the past and present, also combining more industrial elements of design thanks to his study at Aalto University. He has an uncanny ability to offer a unique sensitivity through the use natural materials that are then contrasted with man-made style structures. This unique separation makes for work that’s deliberately contradictory, both visually and conceptually.

Casting these in sand allows him to design cement forms that can then be incorporated onto organic stone buried beneath. Once cured the two materials are locked together and dug out by hand, unveiling the beauty of these sculptures. This series is titled ‘Human Element’ and will no doubt cause a stir for many years to come. I don’t like to make these kind of calls, but considering Collin’s age and talent I consider his work some of the best that I’ve seen in a long while. Enjoy.

collinvelkoff.com

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