Art Whisper
Art Whisper
Kiki Smith, 1992
Matthew Smith's "Blood Pool" is a visceral sculpture from 1992, using wax, gauze, and pigment to evoke the body's vulnerability and raw presence, inviting a close look at its unsettling textures.
Get the full experience in Art Whisper
Matthew Smith's 1992 sculpture, "Blood Pool," presents a stark and visceral encounter. Crafted from wax, gauze, and pigment, the work suggests a raw, organic presence, hinting at themes of vulnerability, the body, and perhaps even trauma or healing. Smith, known for his often unsettling and materially rich sculptures, frequently explores the human form and its abject qualities, as seen in other works like "Alchemy of Pain" which also employs wax and pigment alongside other evocative materials. While less overtly theatrical than some of his later, more elaborate installations, "Blood Pool" embodies a similar commitment to exploring the physical and psychological through a direct, almost confrontational use of materials. The work's modest scale belies its intense emotional resonance, inviting a close inspection of its textured surface and suggestive forms.
The raw, organic texture of the wax and gauze
Subtle variations in the pigment, suggesting depth
The way light interacts with the uneven surface
Matthew Smith's "Blood Pool" is a visceral sculpture from 1992, using wax, gauze, and pigment to evoke the body's vulnerability and raw presence, inviting a cl…
Kiki Smith is a German-born American artist known for her visceral explorations of the human body and its relationship to nature.
Read Kiki's full story in Art WhisperOpen the App