via: cole
Notes:
Willie Cole’s artwork masterfully transforms everyday, used objects into profound, sculptural statements that challenge perceptions of materiality, history, and identity. Cole’s assemblages, often created from discarded items like irons, shoes, or water bottles, blur the line between the mundane and the monumental. His re-contextualization of these objects imbues them with a sense of cultural resonance, referencing African diasporic traditions, spirituality, and the cyclical nature of consumerism. For example, his “Stowage” series, featuring scorched ironing board impressions, evokes imagery of the transatlantic slave trade while simultaneously addressing domestic labor, merging personal and collective histories in a deeply evocative manner.
A hallmark of Cole’s work is his ability to evoke anthropomorphic qualities from these objects, turning them into powerful symbols of resilience and identity. His shoe sculptures, such as “The Elegba” series, reference Yoruba deities and spirits, bringing a spiritual dimension to his work. By repurposing worn footwear, Cole emphasizes themes of journey, migration, and the passage of time. These sculptures highlight the beauty in the discarded and suggest a reverence for the stories embedded within the objects. His adeptness at transforming industrial detritus into works of art demonstrates not only his technical skill but also his ability to communicate complex narratives with a striking economy of means.
Cole’s practice also raises critical questions about environmental sustainability and consumer culture. The deliberate use of discarded materials points to the excesses of modern society and the potential for regeneration through creativity. His works function as both a critique of waste and a celebration of resourcefulness. This duality—a tension between critique and transformation—lies at the heart of Cole’s art. By drawing connections between the personal, cultural, and ecological, Cole’s oeuvre offers a poignant meditation on the interconnectedness of human experience and material culture, positioning him as a vital voice in contemporary art.
- RJG