Steven John Wilkins
"What we find in art is how unavoidable meeting oneself is…
No matter what we pretend to be or what we are trying to imitate in the work, one inevitably ends up faced with oneself…
This shaping of matter, this shaping of life"
Steven John Wilkins (b. 1987, Johannesburg, South Africa) captures wildlife in perpetual motion and transformation - creating exquisite sculptural forms that shift, evolve, and exist suspended between stillness and movement.
Wilkins' process is deliberately intuitive. After thorough study, he sculpts entirely from memory, embracing "the distortion of memory" to let intuition shape forms.
Inspired by light, texture, and each animal's unique character, his work reveals intricate movement, spirit, and individuality.
His sculptures serve as meditative tributes to nature, merging technical mastery with deep emotional connection to the animal world.
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Pair of Hermit Crabs -
Pangolin "Wushu"
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Pangolin Nocturn
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Scamper - Bolting Hare
Sometimes, one must simply cease sculpting and merely look, look for all the things that aren't right with the piece…not the things that are imperfect; imperfect is unavoidable and actually desirable.Inspect photographs of the piece or look at it reflected in a mirror. The tendency for our minds to overlook errors can be upended simply by looking at a reflection.Then, take no action that day, come back to it later and then begin the work. This method can be applied to life; take the time to look closely, spend an entire day or week or however long you need to find what's wrong. Use your good relationships as a mirror, let people show you where you are wrong, then be glad for it!For knowing where you are wrong, you are now shown the path forward... Then, when you are ready, begin the work.
