From the first moment I saw her, I was
totally inspired and completely blown away by
Clemente Susini’s Anatomical Venus , so I tried to gather
as much information as I could about the wax anatomical
sculptors of the 16th-18th century and their process..which led me discover wax relief sculptures in miniature. I was particularly drawn
to the dramatic Spiritual scenes of the afterlife and found the elaborate
little details of wax portraiture to be enchanting. There's something warm and luminous about wax that lends itself to the depiction of the human form.
I continue my study of the wax arts and find a great amount of enjoyment in it's many applications: Wax relief sculpture, wax portraiture, wax flower making.. There isn't much that has been written on the actual process of working with wax and so this has become my current mission. To preserve these lost arts through documentation and instruction, while at the same time continuing to create a body of work.
Momento Mori, reliquary, spiritual devotionals, vintage erotica, Mexican Folk Art, Russian Porcelain and old carnival tchotchkes are some of the things that inspire the work I do.
News..
My workshops and events planned for spring 2020 in NYC and beyond have been cancelled due to the Pandemic. I will be creating new works in this time and planning new online coursework in the wax arts. I will be updating this news soon and sending out email announcements via my mailing list.
I am delighted and honored to continue my partnership with Morbid Anatomy to offer some of my smaller limited edition wax collectibles.. I have decided to offer this wax collection exclusively through Morbid Anatomy! I am a longtime fan of Morbid Anatomy and Joanna Ebenstein's library of detailed essays on wax art through the ages. When I first began to study wax sculpture 12 years ago, little information on the subject existed on the internet. Her website blog, I believe, was the first extensive collection of research on the subject and it informed much of my early experimentation.
I am in the midst of creating an online school of the lost arts which will include classes dedicated to the study of wax flower making techniques from the 18th and 19th century, French wax floral bridal headpieces and we will hopefully expand into several other rare, obscure and lost art forms. Sign up to my mailing list for updates on this exciting endeavor!
I recently made a trip to Paris, France where I had the great fortune of participating in the HEY! Exhibition La Halle St Pierre Museum. A show curated by Anne of Hey! Modern Art and Pop Culture Magazine. It was a mind blower to be sure..Please do check out my Instagram for compilation videos of that truly grand event featuring 36 surrealist artists from all over world.
As always, feel free to contact me regarding commissions or collaborations.
I will be posting updates regarding new developments now and then, so if you might be interested, please do sign up to be included on my mailing list.
XOX
Heather O'Shaughnessy