Ramin Shirdel

Ramin Shirdel
Wise/Wild, 2017

Mixed media
150 x 150 x 95 cm

Courtesy of the artist and Sophia Contemporary Gallery

Hailing from the Middle East - where stories, poetry, myths and legend have strong cultural roots – Iranian-born Ramin Shirdel incorporates words and letters into his sculptural work.
 Where traditional sculpture might portray a realistic form, which is quick to perceive and easy to interpret, Shirdel creates graphic renditions of powerful words to inspire strong images and vivid memories.  Sculpting words in both English and Farsi, Shirdel uses bold colour and dynamic shapes to emphasise the meanings of those words.  The designs can be viewed from different angles and heights, to encourage an interaction between the sculpture and the viewer - to create a performance or an experience.
 The ‘Wild’ element of Shirdel’s bright yellow onomatopoeic sculpture ‘Wise/Wild’ swoops into the air, its recurring contours reverberating.  Circling the work, at ninety degrees, the folded surface conveys the chaotic character of ‘Wild’ but then, on the opposite side, ‘Wild’ is unexpectedly rotated and transformed into the softer and calmer ‘Wise’.  These dynamic, fluid sculptures reflect a duality: the relationship between different states of mind or different people. 
 
For more information: sophiacontemporary.com

Hedge issue 48, pp70-75, December 2017