\u201cHomeward Bound\u201d<\/p>\n
For many individuals, cardboard is typically not given much consideration. After fulfilling its role, it\u2019s usually sent for recycling. However, for artist Warren King, this common material is a medium for extraordinary sculptures of figures, frequently derived from his family heritage. The three-dimensional artworks showcase free-standing figures, busts, and relief sculptures, each narrating a unique tale.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese pieces constitute a continuing series reflecting on how my family journeyed from China to the American Midwest,\u201d King shares with My Modern Met. \u201cCollectively, they examine how culture, mythology, traditions, and family narratives persist through migration\u2014often in ways that are unexpected. In the process of creating them, I\u2019ve become more aware of how deeply my parents\u2019 and grandparents\u2019 experiences have influenced me, even during times when I felt distanced from my heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Certain pieces are directly about his ancestors. In his sculpture named Homeward Bound, King portrays his grandmother, with a bag resting on her hip and a baby on her back, as she sets off on a new adventure that would ultimately lead her from China to the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cShortly after her wedding, her husband, an Air Force pilot, was assigned to a remote location,\u201d King recounts. \u201cUnable to endure the separation, she collected her belongings and her young son, embarking on foot through the war-ravaged land. It would mark the last time she would see her family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other pieces meditate on King\u2019s experiences growing up as a person of color in the predominantly white Midwestern U.S. within an immigrant family. \u201cMask Bearer,\u201d he notes, \u201c[is] inspired by my experiences participating in Chinese cultural events during my childhood in Wisconsin, this piece delves into the complex emotions it evoked\u2014both pride and shame, a sense of belonging alongside feelings of alienation. It\u2019s a contemplation of growing up in a diaspora, caught between connection and dislocation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though his family history has been central to his work, King has recently launched a new series of sculptures that, while personal, deviate from prior themes. Tentatively titled Untitled, he\u2019s reflecting on memories of raising his two sons. \u201c[I\u2019m] examining how fatherhood and my art practice are utterly intertwined\u2014inseparable, truly.\u201d More from King on this topic is anticipated soon.<\/p>\n
Scroll down to discover more of King\u2019s work, and mark your calendars for a brief documentary about him and his art coming in May. It\u2019s part of the latest season of In the Making, produced by PBS\u2019 American Masters.<\/p>\n
Artist Warren King utilizes cardboard to craft remarkable sculptures of figures, often influenced by his family narrative.<\/p>\n
\u201cHomeward Bound\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Mask Bearer\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Mask Bearer\u201d<\/p>\n
The three-dimensional creations include free-standing figures, busts, and relief sculptures, each conveying a narrative.<\/p>\n
\u201cMott Street Flute Player\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of his more recent works depict individuals he meets in New York\u2019s Chinatown.<\/p>\n
\u201cMulberry Street Fruit Seller\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m captivated by the liveliness and density of this Chinese-American community\u2014it contrasts significantly with the more sparse environment of my upbringing. By depicting specific individuals in distinct places and moments, I\u2019m gradually uncovering what community genuinely signifies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMulberry Street Fish Monger\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCanal Street Purse Vendor\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHester Street Vegetable Seller\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlocking the Elephant\u2019s Eye\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Distance We\u2019ve Traveled\u201d<\/p>\n
One of King\u2019s newest works recalls memories of raising his two sons.<\/p>\n
\u201cUntitled\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c[I\u2019m] examining how fatherhood and my artistic journey have been completely intertwined for me\u2014inseparable, indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUntitled\u201d<\/p>\n
Warren King: [Website](https:\/\/www.wrnking.com\/) | [Instagram](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wrnking\/)<\/p>\n
My Modern Met authorized the use of photos by Warren King.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHomeward Bound\u201d For many individuals, cardboard is typically not given much consideration. After fulfilling its role, it\u2019s usually sent for recycling. However, for artist Warren King, this common material is a medium for extraordinary sculptures of figures, frequently derived from his family heritage. The three-dimensional artworks showcase free-standing figures, busts, and relief sculptures, each narrating a unique tale. \u201cThese pieces […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":555661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-555660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/555660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=555660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/555660\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/555661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=555660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=555660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=555660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}