Going back to the freedom of a child's imagination and being able to draw and paint in such a nonrestrictive manner is an elusive goal many artists are always working towards. That is no different in the process of Canadian-born artist, Michael Swaney. "After all these years, I have come to believe that I have retained a memory bank for ways that I used to draw certain things as a child and can still access that now," he recently wrote. That freedom is evident in his newest sculptural release, Hamsa Finger Family, available on Wednesday 2nd December at 6PM CET on Bomma.fr.
The Barcelona-based artist, who we'ved featured previously on Juxtapoz, has recently teamed up with Bomma Gallery and Rosini Art Foundry to create a sculptural version of one of his most recognizable motifs—Finger Family. Inspired by a series of videos called Finger Family he discovered with his daughter, the artist uses a human hand as a blank canvas on which he then paints, shapes and patterns. Mimicking the way children are transforming their fingers into play, Swaney has built a universe around this inclusive, non-elitist art.
"I first draw the silhouette of the hand and then begin to fill each finger with details," the artist explains the creative process behind these lively creations. "Often I’ve decided on the color palette before even starting but the details begin to pour out without much planning."
The artist chose to keep the raw brilliance of the sculpture, without applying a patina, in order to keep a hue close to white gold. The finish gives a raw, imperfect mark-making effect with the alluring shine that is usually connected with value and merit. The 28cm high sculptures were produced in an edition of 8 original works with 4 artist’s proofs, each signed and numbered by the artist. "Hands are such a universal element in all the arts of ancient civilizations that they carry this power with them, no matter how they are represented," Swaney says, "Object of protection, a fetish, or a good luck charm." —Sasha Bogojev
