Search

Jessica Drenk Transforms Thousands of Pencils into Organic Vessels

29 Sep, 2024

This post was originally published on Colossal

Undulating, organic sculptures emerge from thousands of drawing utensils in Jessica Drenk’s ongoing Implements series. Fascinated by the aesthetics and behavior of multiples of mass-produced objects, the artist (previously) chose pencils because of their stackable shape and “the thought that, if I sanded them, I could make a sculpture that drew on itself in the making: sandpaper would smear the graphite while the piece was being shaped,” she tells Colossal.

Implements explores the relationship between interior and exterior, the container and the contained. The inside of each work showcases the out-of-the-box objects, while the outside has been cut and smoothed to reveal lengths of graphite and bare wood.

Detail of “Implement 36”

Drenk has been making sculptures with pencils for several years, and the shapes continue to evolve. One of the challenges of working with the material is the difficulty of gluing pre-painted, non-porous surfaces together. “In response to this, I once ordered 30,000 unpainted pencils to make larger sculptures that could be glued into more dynamic shapes,” she says.

Over time, the Implements series has influenced further sculptures, such as “Speleothem” and “Formation,” in which the pencils compose larger dynamic forms. “In a sense, both aspects of the pieces resemble nature,” Drenk says. “Even the hexagon is found in nature, from beehives to columnar basalt rocks.”

Drenk is currently working on a geology-inspired series called Aggregate that puts junk mail to use, along with wall sculptures made from books. Explore more on the artist’s website and Instagram.

“Speleothem”
“Implement 44”
“Implement 73”
Detail of “Formation”
Implements series
“Formation” in progress

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Jessica Drenk Transforms Thousands of Pencils into Organic Vessels appeared first on Colossal.

Pass over the stars to rate this post. Your opinion is always welcome.
[Total: 0 Average: 0]

You may also like…

Canadian Solar and Flow Power to install anti-hail solar

Canadian Solar and Flow Power to install anti-hail solar

Canadian Solar and Flow Power have teamed up to deliver the first Flow Power solar project featuring Canadian Solar’s anti-hail modules.

This project will also mark the first deployment of Canadian Solar’s anti-hail technology in Australia.

Set to be delivered in 2025, the South Australian solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) in Coonawarra will provide increased protection for solar panels in extreme weather conditions.

Developed through extensive testing, the company’s anti-hail technology is said to help safeguard solar panels from severe weather, including hailstorms. This is part of Canadian Solar’s commitment to providing durable, high-performance solutions for renewable energy projects in some of the world’s challenging environments.

Based in the Coonawarra wine region, Flow Power’s first project to utilise the technology will be a solar farm paired with a DC-coupled BESS. This project will be the first of many sites where Canadian Solar and Flow Power collaborate to install the company’s anti-hail technology across the country.

“We’re excited to be using Canadian Solar’s TOPCon anti-hail panels in our upcoming energy projects,” said Tom Harrison, Flow Power’s General Manager Energy Projects.

“At Flow Power, we are committed to innovation, and we always work to make each new project better than the last. That includes building smarter, more resilient energy solutions, and the Coonawarra Energy Project is a testament to that mission. By integrating anti-hail technology into our solar farms, we are not only enhancing the durability of our assets, but also ensuring greater reliability for our customers, even in extreme weather conditions.”

“We are proud to partner with Flow Power to bring our advanced anti-hail solar panels to Australian energy projects,” said Dr Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar. “This first project highlights our commitment to providing innovative solutions that enhance the durability and performance of solar energy systems in Australia.”

The first phase of the Coonawarra Energy Project will begin soon, with the solar modules set to be installed in the coming months.

Image credit: iStock.com/Ihor Kochet

12 Things to Know in Sustainable Fashion This April

12 Things to Know in Sustainable Fashion This April

Every month the Good On You team scours the internet to bring you the sustainable fashion and beauty news that matters. Here’s what you need to know in April 2025. Skin In the Game: Mink Coat at Ethical Fashion Show Fuels Sustainability Debate (The Guardian) A report from The Guardian at Paris Fashion Week charts […]
The post 12 Things to Know in Sustainable Fashion This April appeared first on Good On You.

0 Comments