Mel Kendrick’s practice has involved the use of cast bronze, concrete, a variety of woods, rubber, resin, as well as investigations with cast paper. Kendrick addresses philosophical, conceptual, and fundamental questions around sculpture: namely, the relationship between the object as we experience it and the means by which it was created.
The exhibition’s flagship piece drew me to the show with electric blue shapes arranged in a perfectly balanced abstraction. The surprise in scale when viewing this piece in person presses the work’s point. I appreciate visible screws and residual tiny white chalk marks alluding to process.
Kendrick starts with a block of mahogany which he paints/stains before carving out shapes that are repositioned into new configurations. The black and white checkerboard allows loops of revealed wood which make the perceived weight of this piece lighter than it actually is.
Kendrick’s handmade paper pieces reflect the wall carvings. Here he applies black pigment to the casting plate which leaves traces on the paper after it’s been pulled. That black adds dimension while the blue, painted last, clearly separates positive from negative space in these oversized pages.
The standing sculpture Red Blockhead is significantly smaller than the wall pieces but is no less interesting. This piece is reminiscent of block puzzles I’d play with at my grandmother’s house as a kid. I want to pull out that oval piece and stick it back in somewhere. I can’t think of any other sculpture where I’ve felt compelled to get in there and play with it. Not recommending that unless you’re planning on taking this home, in which case, knock yourself out.
Kendrick uses all of the wood block he starts with, rearranging the jigsawed shapes and their would-be detritus into intricate patterns. I enjoyed mentally fitting pieces back into their original locations in these handmade Jenga arrangements where Kendrick comes up with a far more sophisticated landing than I would. From wall to table, these pieces keep the viewer engaged while beautifully dressing the space.
On view through January 8th at Hill Gallery 407 W. Brown Birmingham
*images are courtesy of Hill Gallery unless otherwise noted
direct quote from gallery or artist statements
SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND
Art Basel Miami Exhibitors: David Klein, Playground Detroit, Simone DeSousa,
Sydney G. James, Reyes Finn
Kim, thank you for this review and images of Kendrick’s work. The 3-D forms and works on paper are quite interesting. I’ll make a point to check out the show in person. C