In this semi-abstract composition by Birmingham-based artist Stephen Farley, the boundaries of physical and digital art have been crossed, resulting in a hectic composition which challenges the eye. Made using resin, 'Nothing But a Hand Dog' is an ode to Farley's late dog - this is a melancholy piece which is imbued with personal meaning, with a subtle nod to pop culture.
- Media: resin
- Dimensions: 90 x 90 x 9cm
- Price: £5200.00
'Nothing but a Hand Dog' is part of Stephen Farley's series of works which pay tribute to his late dog. A piece depicting dog-shaped hand shadows, this piece also provides commentary on the rise of digital devices and the evolution of entertainment - when was the last time you did something as simple as creating a hand-shadow dog? Although totally hand-made, this piece appears digital upon first glance, and challenges the eye through a myriad of textures. The Pollock-esque textures of the blue resin compete with the tubular forms within the hand outlines to the left, which look as though they are hypnotically swarming on the surface. This is a personal piece which is scattered with references of Farley's childhood, establishing an innocent tone within the composition, whilst its title demonstrates Farley's use of pop culture references to generate irony and familiarity. A play on words of the iconic Elvis Presley hit, the title reflects Farley's heavy musical influence: “Music is probably the biggest influence on what comes out of me visually, because it’s probably my first interaction with an art form” With pop culture references and tongue-in-cheek artwork titles, Farley’s works are distinctive, exciting and even challenging at times. Although pieces like this could be visually viewed as spontaneous and abstract, there is irony in Farley’s process – resin is one of the least spontaneous materials to work with, requiring a controlled environment and rigorous planning to ensure successful results. Although very durable, these resin works appear almost like glass at times - there's a fascinating fragility within his works, and the light refractions within the resin immediately captures the eye. Farley's works demand to be seen in the flesh for their full impact; they are known to push the boundaries of the artificial and the organic as well as the physical and the digital, and there is a tactility to his works which make them almost impossible not to touch. An oeuvre which is imbued with contrasts; Stephen Farley's works are endlessly engaging - 'Nothing But a Hand Dog' is no exception, and would stand out in any contemporary art collection, business space, or home.
Working and living in Birmingham, Stephen Farley is a 3D artist who works with a range of materials, most notably resin. Farley's oeuvre is multifaceted and tactile - whether a wall piece or a stand-alone sculpture - they're almost impossible not to touch, and demand to be seen in the flesh. This physical aspect of Farley's work offers new ways of experiencing art through touch, leading to many collaborations with BlindArt, a charity that supports those with sight restrictions. Stephen Farley is a versatile, exciting, and innovative artist and any artwork from his collection would make a worthwhile investment, and a valuable asset to any contemporary art collection, gallery space, or home.
Other images of Nothing But A Hand Dog by Stephen Farley ARBSA