The artist winds up a metallic thread, more or less shiny or rusty, to form a ball that is itself more or less airy. And from this interlacing emerges a silhouette, sometimes two. Karen Axikyan will then put her creatures in everyday situations: some jump, climb on a block, run or dance.
Other characters, on the other hand, are integrated into more symbolic works: In the “vacuum” series, the character seeks how to live in or on a concrete circle; in Depth, two characters, upside down, seem trapped in the flames of hell.
From work to work, the artist born in Armenia in 1963 thus explores the possibilities of metal wire and lets himself be guided by what can emerge from the first turns he imposes on metal. Before discovering the possibilities of metallic wire, the artist tried oil painting, then made batiks, but for 15 years he has been faithful to metal.
And last year, he decided to take the plunge, quit his job to devote himself entirely to this activity of “filefériste”. He renews each scene but also plays on the volumes. The last series is called “Small world”: each sculpture is so small that it fits in the palm of your hand.
Anne Devailly
