William Sweetlove – Cloned black elephant with watercans, 2010-11 – Mixed Media

Polyurethane painted black

William Sweetlove's Cloned Black Elephant with Watercans (2010-2011) is a striking mixed-media sculpture that portrays a life-sized black elephant with a water canister attached to its side. Made from painted polyurethane, this artwork belongs to Sweetlove's ecological-themed series that emphasizes environmental concerns, particularly water scarcity. The elephant, symbolizing strength and resilience, becomes a carrier of water, underscoring the vital role of conservation and resource management. Sweetlove’s choice of a cloned animal reflects his commentary on genetic modification and humanity's impact on nature. Measuring 190 cm in height, 250 cm in length, and 126 cm in depth, the sculpture is both an impressive and thought-provoking statement on sustainability and human responsibility toward the environment.

William Sweetlove (Belgium, 1949) is a contemporary sculptor and member of the Cracking Art Group. His vibrant, often oversized animal sculptures, crafted from recycled materials, address themes of environmental sustainability and climate change. Sweetlove's works have been exhibited internationally, emphasizing the impact of human activity on nature.

William Sweetlove

Cloned black elephant with watercans, 2010-11

Form

Sculpture / Object

Sculpture / ObjectA sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or wood. Modeling and casting use clay or wax, while constructions glue materials together.

Medium

Mixed Media

Mixed MediaMixed media refers to artwork that incorporates more than one medium within a single piece. Unlike multimedia art, which combines distinct forms of visual art and often includes elements like sound, video, or digital media, mixed media focuses on combining traditional art materials, such as paint, ink, and collage. Mixed media art allows artists to achieve a wide range of effects and textures by layering and blending different materials.

Edition

Edition of 8

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Porcelain

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Cloned blue (...), 2007

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Cloned GOLD (...), 2010

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Art is not a message, art is art, but if you have a message, why not?
- William Sweetlove

William Sweetlove (b. 1949 Belgium) is a Belgian contemporary artist known for his thought-provoking and humorous sculptures that often address themes of consumerism, environmental issues, and the human impact on nature. Sweetlove’s work is characterized by his use of vibrant colors, enlarged everyday objects, and a playful, surreal aesthetic. He is best known for his series of brightly colored animal sculptures, particularly dogs, penguins, and turtles, often depicted with water bottles, boots, or other accessories attached to them. These whimsical yet poignant sculptures are part of his collaboration with the Cracking Art Group, a collective that uses recycled plastic to create artworks with an ecological message. Sweetlove’s art serves as a commentary on the excesses of modern society and the urgent need for sustainability, while also engaging viewers with its accessible and humorous approach. His work has been exhibited internationally, and he is recognized as an important figure in contemporary ecological art, blending environmental activism with pop art sensibilities. (Artist website)

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What is contemporary art?

Contemporary art refers to avant-garde or innovative art created in the recent past or present day. The exact starting point of contemporary art varies depending on the institution, often tied to the founding year of museums or galleries that showcase the style. Contemporary art is characterized by its focus on current ideas, diverse media, and the exploration of new concepts and techniques.

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William Sweetlove