Sara Gackowska, 2022, Poland

Craquelure IV, V

Traditionally a place for small painted portraits, each oval cameo is fractured, creating a condensed picture of sublime ruin instead. The use of blood-like iron oxide is a transcendental intimation of human frailty and body I reveal the natural beauty of stone and its appealing features through theme of metamorphosis, constant change and transformation. My experimental works reflect an almost alchemical manipulation with material. The “Craquelure” collection is composition made out of stone and bioresin, in which one type of matter coming from the same material tied together in a never-ending cycle. From a solid state to the liquid one. The stone appears strong as well as fragile. Is it still stone or almost metal or maybe body? Where is a spirit of stone? This unexplained and unpredictable material fascinates me most and describes the nature of stone at best. As a never-ending source…