A Closer Look: Plaster

When you think of plaster, you probably think of a material smoothed onto walls.  But this simple material – a mixture of powdered gypsum and water – can be magical in skilled hands.  Alberto Giacometti, famous for his bronze sculptures, sculpted all of them out of plaster first:

In fact, plaster has been one of the most important artistic mediums for thousands of years – which is why I’m so impressed by the freshness of a new collection by Stephen Antonson.

Stephen Antonson Ledge

Using plaster as his main material, he sculpts all sorts of decorative objects.  From mirrors to candlesticks and chandeliers, Antonson’s elevates this humble material to serene beauty.  My favorite is his lamp for Dessin Fournier:

 

-Robert

image 1 & 3:  West Elm

image 2: tumblr

images 4 : Stephen Antonson