Artist Morris Wazney uses a variety of materials, selecting just the right one to express her vision, and evoking both the fragility and strength of our world.

Working in bronze casting, found objects, collage, installation, performance and public art, Wazney explores and plays with existing and outdated structures and systems. Her metal casting work is particularly striking, powerful and fragile at the same time – from the human body, to architecture, to human/object hybrids – and covers a range of themes, including memory, nostalgia, reflection and tension.

She also finds humour and fun in working with everyday objects, like in her ‘Untitled’ book series; or seeks harmony and balance between nature and the man-made in her outdoor sculpture ‘Continuum’.

(Photo credit: Morris Wazney)

What we like about this artist

The contrasting interplay between opposites – fragility and strength, play and tension – are compelling and delightful. Sometimes powerful, sometimes whimsical, her pieces evoke themes of nostalgia and memory, with a touch of folliness. Often putting objects together in a way that makes us see them in a totally new light, Wazney creates pieces that reflect the human condition.

From ‘Spineophone’ to ‘The Churches’, there is something both startling and magical about the combination of elements in Wazney’s work. And the stunningly detailed anatomical pieces, like ‘Exploded Skull’ and ‘Weightless Reflection’, are both fascinating and tender in the power and vulnerability they convey.

We are reminded of the fragility of life, the fleeting nature of memory, and the importance of playfulness and imagination. (Written by C.M.)

Ideas for where you can go from here:

• Take a look at Wazney’s metal casting work. One of our favourite sculptures by Morris Wazney is ‘Spineophone’.
• Get a random title from the ’Untitled’ book series of fictional book titles. What titles would make a great addition to your bookshelf?
• Notice the everyday objects around you, some of which you may rarely pay attention to or take for granted. What do you see? How would you combine and reassemble them? How would you turn them into a sculpture?

We love artists because they inspire you to look at things in a different way. Looking at things in a different way allows you to open your mind to other possibilities. Opening your mind to other possibilities is part of the flourishing offline life Young W helps you discover: by exploring ART and the other 8 pillars of Arts & Letters, including those you may be hesitant to try.

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