Dressed in plush cushions and bulbous clothing, colorful figures emerge from Frode Bolhuis’ daily sculpture project — Colossal



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#Frode Bolhuis #polymer clay #sculpture #textiles #wood

Tied with colorful cushions and string, draped in chains of spheres or sprouting a single leaf from their heads, the figures from Frode Bolhuis’ Almere studio embody the playful imagination and desire for experimentation of the Dutch artist. Part of an ongoing sculpting project, the expressive cast currently consists of 117 miniature figurines made primarily of polymer clay with additions of wood, fiber and metal, each with a distinct personality.

Bolhuis (previously) started the project with the intention of creating a new work every day, although he shares that to refine the characters’ features and shape their clothes, he’s more likely to do two a week. . While much of his process remains the same as when the project began in February 2022, the artist is currently embarking on textile design in collaboration with studio Byborre and a loom in his studio. He shares the evolution of the collection:

I don’t know if they’re getting better, but they’re continually finding new shapes, shapes that I didn’t know before I started. It’s as if I learned to know myself through the sculptures. It is a wonderful paradox that fixed shape, size and discipline give so much freedom. I really feel like I can continue this forever and continually grow. It is magic.

If you’re in Philadelphia, you can see some of the artist’s work later this year as part of Hi-Fructose’s group show at Arch Enemy Arts. Otherwise, find more whimsical characters on Instagram.

#Frode Bolhuis #polymer clay #sculpture #textiles #wood

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