Kristine Mays was born in 1969 and raised in San Francisco, CA. She is a self-taught artist and has developed a way of expressing the human form through wire by simple experimentation, curiosity, and a passion to create.
Her work with wire began about nine years ago as she was inspired by the idea of exploring the development of transforming a straight line into something of volume. Her works ultimately become something familiar both physically and emotionally as the human form emerges from wire and causes one to think about the ways in which our outer shells often speak to what is going on inside.
Kristine has shown her work in various art shows all over the Bay Area and Northern California since 1993. Collectors of her work include people from all walks of life, executives at GAP, as well as a board member for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
All work is for sale unless otherwise indicated. Sculptures are one-of-a-kind, so if sold they’re gone. However, new works will be posted continually. If you are interested in something you can contact Kristine at kristine_mays@yahoo.com or leave a comment here. Any and all questions are welcome.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
FAQ about my work with wire
frequently asked questions about my work with wire…
WHEN DID YOUR WORK WITH WIRE BEGIN?
My work with wire began about nine years ago as I purchased some wire to make candleholders for Christmas gifts. I played around with the wire, becoming quickly bored with the candleholder idea and yet as I played, I became inspired by the idea of transforming a straight line into something of volume. Having come from a background of drawing faces I was already accustomed to using a pencil on a flat surface to create mass and dimension. With wire I wanted to express the same only in a three dimensional form. My first projects were little twelve-inch men made of wire. As time progressed I played around with the idea of capturing movement, and freezing it and my sculptures continued to grow in size. All of my current works are life-size.
DOES ONE PIECE OF WIRE OR MANY COME TOGETHER TO CREATE A SCULPTURE ?
The sculptures are made up of thousands of pieces of wire, cut into random lengths (from as small as 2 inches to as long as 2 feet or more). Overlapping the pieces of wire creates strength and holds it all together.
WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE?
While many people ask if I weld or use heat to bind the pieces together, the answer is no. I use wire, a set of pliers and my hands.
HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THE SHAPE OF THE SCULPTURE? DO YOU USE A PERSON OR A MOLD OF SOME SORT?
I do not use any molds or live models. I refer to pictures and work out the shapes in my head before transforming them into sculpture. I am basically working from my mind’s eye.
WHERE DO YOU COME UP WITH IDEAS FOR SCULPTURES?
I search books and magazines for photos of people in motion. My love for fashion comes through because I spend so much time looking through fashion magazines. I am fixated on the look of clothing as it is being worn. I attempt to capture the folds, creases and movement of fabric while at the same time, revealing invisible inhabitants within the clothing.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SCULPTURE?
Because I have worked with wire for so long I am getting faster at creating pieces. The real work happens in my head as I figure out how to create something of volume from a straight line. With regard to the physical time it takes to create a sculpture, dresses tend to take up to 50-60 hours.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU WORK AT IT?
I sculpt two hours each day. At one point I used to work on wire sculpture for hours, not paying attention to how much time I’d sent on projects. Due to problems with carpal tunnel syndrome I am now forced to pay attention to how I use my hands and wrists. I'd work longer if I could. I intend to work in wire until it completely bores me or until my hands will no longer allow me to continue.
WHEN DID YOUR WORK WITH WIRE BEGIN?
My work with wire began about nine years ago as I purchased some wire to make candleholders for Christmas gifts. I played around with the wire, becoming quickly bored with the candleholder idea and yet as I played, I became inspired by the idea of transforming a straight line into something of volume. Having come from a background of drawing faces I was already accustomed to using a pencil on a flat surface to create mass and dimension. With wire I wanted to express the same only in a three dimensional form. My first projects were little twelve-inch men made of wire. As time progressed I played around with the idea of capturing movement, and freezing it and my sculptures continued to grow in size. All of my current works are life-size.
DOES ONE PIECE OF WIRE OR MANY COME TOGETHER TO CREATE A SCULPTURE ?
The sculptures are made up of thousands of pieces of wire, cut into random lengths (from as small as 2 inches to as long as 2 feet or more). Overlapping the pieces of wire creates strength and holds it all together.
WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE?
While many people ask if I weld or use heat to bind the pieces together, the answer is no. I use wire, a set of pliers and my hands.
HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THE SHAPE OF THE SCULPTURE? DO YOU USE A PERSON OR A MOLD OF SOME SORT?
I do not use any molds or live models. I refer to pictures and work out the shapes in my head before transforming them into sculpture. I am basically working from my mind’s eye.
WHERE DO YOU COME UP WITH IDEAS FOR SCULPTURES?
I search books and magazines for photos of people in motion. My love for fashion comes through because I spend so much time looking through fashion magazines. I am fixated on the look of clothing as it is being worn. I attempt to capture the folds, creases and movement of fabric while at the same time, revealing invisible inhabitants within the clothing.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A SCULPTURE?
Because I have worked with wire for so long I am getting faster at creating pieces. The real work happens in my head as I figure out how to create something of volume from a straight line. With regard to the physical time it takes to create a sculpture, dresses tend to take up to 50-60 hours.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU WORK AT IT?
I sculpt two hours each day. At one point I used to work on wire sculpture for hours, not paying attention to how much time I’d sent on projects. Due to problems with carpal tunnel syndrome I am now forced to pay attention to how I use my hands and wrists. I'd work longer if I could. I intend to work in wire until it completely bores me or until my hands will no longer allow me to continue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)