The Endless Possibility of Nails

By -
Giant metal sculptures made from nails by John Bisbee

Snaking sculpture made entirely of nails by John Bisbee

Metal nail sculpture by John Bisbee

Conical sculpture made of nails by John Bisbee

In graphic design, my field of choice, you work within limits. Be that timescales, budgets, client briefs or self imposed boundaries. I like limits because I feel that is where creativity comes into its own. You can push against them, stretch them, come at them from a different angle, or fully comply (though that one is a rarity!) 
Wire frame baskets made of nails by artist John Bisbee

Neat and order sculpture by artist John Bisbee, made only of nails
Wild and wiggle sculpture by John Bisbee using his chosen medium of nails

John Bisbee is an artist who has limited his artworks by material - but not by creativity. He only works with nails. It was 30 years ago that he stumbled across a bucket with old nails rusting away into a solid chunk of metal. It sparked a curiosity with the humble nail, and to this day Bisbee creates installations and sculptures that stick to the motto "only nails, always different".
Stacked high piles of nails by artist John Bisbee
Artist John Bisbee rolling one of his sculptures into place
Sweeping piles of nails form a John Bisbee sculpture

Bisbee sees the nail to be as versatile as the line on the page, the limit is his imagination. From neat and tidy snaking piles to twisted writhing sculptures testing the form and shape of his chosen object - Bisbee explores it all.  

 See more at My Modern Met.

Comments

Post a Comment