Peter Sandback, submitted artwork
Peter Sandback
Sculpture
New Hampshire
Peter Sandback is a mixed media sculptor and furniture maker. Born in New Haven to a sculptor, he the son of an illustrator. As a whole, his work is autobiographical. Some pieces are simply formal, some funny and some deeply personal. At best they are all of these. Humor and absurdity are present throughout. His current series is an extension of his work at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Works
Peter Sandback, submitted artwork
Self sabotage is my guiding principle. I generally make a piece of art which has some kind of meaning or beauty, then put something dumb with it. Thereby avoiding any real judgement by the viewer. The piece then becomes just funny. Just good for a laugh. This sensibility extends to other parts of my art life. I received an MFA from the School of the the Art Institute of Chicago - but not really. One last paper was all that was needed to get my degree. I blew it off, bought an ancient Suburban and drove to California with my girlfriend of 3 weeks. Exhibiting self sabotage and some kind of perceived outlaw sensibility. The format of my art is simple. One photograph in a frame which has 2 shelves. There are objects on the shelves. The photographs are usually taken in natural history museums. Whether the objects enhance or lessen the viewers interest is unclear to me. As a whole, the work is autobiographical. The themes that run through, as I see it, are boyhood, manhood, my Father and suicide. Some mean nothing. I work with great joy. I embrace my freedom to be meaningless.
