Daniel Kornrumpf

Embroidery
Staff Exhibition
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
Lincoln, MA

Detail of Austin, Texas by Daniel Kornrumpf. Image courtesy of the artist.

There is something callow and shocking in the expression of the figure in Daniel Kornrumpf’s Austin, Texas. I was taken in by it, but more by the wonderful, subtle execution of the offbeat image. This is, interestingly, a smallish embroidery (how cool!) positioned in the middle of a large white background. The care with which the work is done is most evident: in particular, the elements of hair and lips are beautifully modeled.

The reflection of the name “Austin, Texas” in the figure’s sunglasses is striking, witty and a bit showbizzy. And, even though it would seem to be a reflection, it could not be, because we do not see it in reverse. Aha! So what is it? The funny and impudent gaze of the figure, with slightly parted lips, both takes us in and pushes us away, as though she wants to explain that apparent illusion to us, but is enjoying our puzzlement too much to do so.

Austin, Texas by Daniel Kornrumpf. Image courtesy of the artist.

I thought that the positioning of the small image in the middle of the big field might have some symbolic reference to Austin’s position in Texas and to the thought that it is a kind of island in a big, blank space. The artist suggests that the motivation comes from the idea that the image which inspired the work came from the internet, a big and indeterminate landscape all its own.

Check out the artist’s website, which shows some other interesting works.

An artist to watch!

– BADMan