“Listening to the material is a central principle in my work,” Matias Karsikas says. Combining elements of glass, wood, and ceramics, the Helinski-based artist draw upon nature’s persistence despite human intervention.
Karsikas’ botanical sculptures rest between artificial and organic. While bold hues of hand-blown glass neatly bloom into symmetrical petals and small bits of fired clay rhythmically protrude to resemble disc florets, fragments of untreated wood create a contrast that challenges the harmony between naturally occurring components of flora and fabricated representations of it.
“These works do not directly depict figures or landscapes but instead draw inspiration from nature through textures and surfaces,” Karsikas explains. For instance, more complex finishes of mottled, green hues—as seen in pieces such as “Jäkälä” and “Sammal”—are a result of the artist developing his own glazes to mimic surfaces similar to lichen and moss.
His first major public work, “Peukaloisen puutarha,” rests on a Helsinki daycare center wall. Translating to “Little Thumbling’s Garden,” the installation includes an abundance of pickings such as embellished flowers, a berry cluster, and peas. “Playing with scale is intended to evoke memories of childhood,” Karsikas shares. “It was a time when everything seemed bigger, more magical, and more exciting.”
Having recently concluded his first major exhibition at the Finnish Glass Museum, Karsikas is currently working on two forthcoming public artworks. Follow his Instagram for updates, and see his website for more work.
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