HANDLE FOR THE AXE
Anthony Stellaccio’s sculpture exhibition titled “Handle for the Axe” is full of dynamic contrasts. His unique choice of materials – white porcelain and black Formica, expresses this dramatically. Stellacio constructs large pedstal-like bases with smooth refelctive Formica that supports the multiple, small porcelain elements balanced on top. Often the clay is left with a deliberate hand-hewn finish underlining the difference and drawing attention to the significance of the materials. Formica and ceramic share a reference to a domestic imagery that the artist at once embraces and obliterates with his abstract geometry and enigmatic machined shapes. It is the dialogue between the parts that engages the viewer. Finally the visual cues of ivory piano keys dancing over the mass of polished black create a musical metaphor that gives the sculpture a complex harmony. The artist’s exploration into the relationship of material to content is revealed in this original and challenging body of work as he attempts to answer the Judaic riddle, “from the forest itself, comes the handle for the axe.” CULTURALCAPITA.COM
