Lot 635 D

The present work was part of the installation "Wald" from 1992.

The work can be viewed in Bonn.
For further information:
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Leiko Ikemura is known for her fairytale-like, highly coloured painting. Since 1987, the artist has also been transforming her motif world, in which human, animal and plant forms combine to form mysterious hybrid beings, into sculptures. These ceramic works appear to be based on real motifs but are so abstracted in the hands of the artist in the work process, that the original motif no longer appears legible. Instead, a multi-layered, multifaceted, interpretable appearance emerges, which always contains organic, but also architectural elements. The “dragonfly” is an integral element of the “Wald” work group. Its columnar base merges into a filigree structure that evokes various associations: the delicate wings of the title-giving dragonfly, the ears of a hare, a long, upturned, toothy mouth, echoes of the female sex. Leiko Ikemura's sculptures are metamorphoses that unite numerous contradictions. They have a fragile, yet simultaneously static and immovable presence. They withdraw meditatively into themselves and yet radiate a strong physicality and sensuality. They are lyrical beings which appear to tell their story but remain completely enigmatic.