Understanding Vinyl Sculptures: The FairArt Guide

What are vinyl sculptures?

Vinyl sculptures encompass a wide range of artistic creations made using vinyl as the primary material. Vinyl sculptures have gained popularity for limited edition releases in the art world due to several reasons, including access and affordability, versatility, reproducibility, collectability, and customisation and personalisation.

Vinyl is a relatively affordable material compared to traditional sculpting materials like bronze or marble. This allows artists to produce larger editions at a lower cost, making the art more accessible to a wider audience. Vinyl can be moulded and shaped into various forms and sizes, allowing artists to experiment with different colours, textures, and finishes. Limited edition releases tied to specific events, collaborations, or themes generate excitement and anticipation among collectors.

How is vinyl used for limited edition sculptures or collectibles?

Material: Vinyl, a synthetic plastic material known for its durability, flexibility, and ease of manipulation, is commonly used in creating sculptures. It can be heated and shaped, allowing artists to achieve various forms and textures.

Creation Process: Sculptors use techniques such as heat manipulation, carving, moulding, and assembling to shape vinyl into intricate and detailed sculptures.

Versatility: Vinyl sculptures range from small-scale figurines to large-scale installations. Artists experiment with different colours, finishes, and techniques to create diverse artworks.

Artistic Expression: Vinyl sculptures explore themes ranging from abstract forms to representations of the human figure, animals, objects, and conceptual pieces, showcasing the versatility of the medium.

Collectibility: Vinyl sculptures, especially limited editions or artist-signed pieces, can become sought-after collectibles among art enthusiasts and collectors due to their uniqueness and artistic value.

Courtesy of Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair

What are famous vinyl sculptures?

1. Kaws, Companion: Brian Donnelly, known as Kaws, creates vinyl sculptures of his character "Companion," characterised by its cartoonish appearance with X-ed out eyes. These sculptures have gained immense popularity in the contemporary art scene.

2. Takashi Murakami, Mr. DOB: Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has produced vinyl sculptures of his iconic character 'Mr. DOB', a playful and colourful creation reflecting elements of Japanese pop culture.

3. Yoshitomo Nara, Doggy Radio: Nara's "Doggy Radio" is a vinyl sculpture featuring a cartoon-like dog holding a radio. It represents the artist's exploration of childhood, innocence, and the juxtaposition of cuteness with deeper, darker themes.

4. Frank Kozik, Labbit: Frank Kozik's 'Labbit' series features vinyl rabbit-like creatures with unique designs, including collaborations with various artists, making them collectible and highly sought after.

5. Luke Chueh, Possessed: Chueh's 'Possessed' series involves vinyl bear sculptures showcasing themes of inner conflict, addiction, and human emotions.

These examples highlight the diversity of vinyl sculptures in contemporary art, showcasing different styles, concepts, and artistic approaches utilised by renowned artists. The realm of vinyl sculptures is vast, and numerous other artists have made significant contributions to this medium, each with their unique styles and creations.

Where can I buy vinyl sculptures?

Explore FairArt's platform's collection of sculptures. Vinyl sculptures include Joan Cornella’s Send Yourself Nowhere (2022), Izumi Kato’s Opaque Vinyl Figurine (2020), and Matt Gondek’s Deconstructed Mouse (2017).