There is something mesmerizing about a shadowed image. When we sought an image for Stephan Webb’s EVOLUTIONARY END GAME, we were graced with this scintillating piece of design. The image itself creates a challenging aesthetic and cognitive experience when coupled with the title of his show.
Evolution can be excruciatingly slow, but it seems Stephan has adapted his work for this show to display that it can be in our hands. The image portrays a man building or puppeteering another man, and how we are accelerating to new heights quicker than ever before. We can’t be certain until the full reveal later in the month(although we are pretty certain), but his sculptures we have seen for the exhibit are proving to be simply astounding and full of layered meaning.
We also got a chance to talk to Stephan about his work, which was pretty worth it for the bad pun alone.
CP: Tell us about your art!
WEBB: My art is so metal! No, literally. It’s metal.
CP: Why have you chosen bronze as your medium?
WEBB: I was always intrigued by bronze and metal casting, but it wasn’t until I took a bronze casting class that I completely fell in love with bronze. I love that someone can take a completely raw material and essentially create something from nothing. Also, it lasts thousands of years. That’s kinda cool.
CP: You also have a biology degree right? It’s a clear influence on your art – but which came first – art or biology?
Yes, I do. Art and science have always gone hand in hand for me. When I was 6, my favorite book was A Natural History of Dinosaurs. I would draw the dinosaurs, memorize their names and then try to describe the theory of continental drift to my classmates. Didn’t go over so well. My teachers thought I made the whole thing up.
CP: Do you consider living in Albuquerque an influence on your art? If so, how?
WEBB: Less of an influence, more of a convenience. One of the biggest suppliers for casting materials and tools in the country is located right here in Albuquerque. Really convenient when you run out of something in the middle of working.
CP: What can we expect to see from you from this upcoming show at Stranger Factory?
WEBB: Evolutionary End Game is going to be more organic and less mechanical than most of my work. This series deals with some evolutionary concepts such as transitional species and “missing links.” I like the idea that our knowledge of extinct organisms is derived from what is found in the fossil record. What about the creatures that left no evidence of their existence? The possibilities are endless.
Stephan Webb’s “Evolutionary End Game” opens April 5th at Stranger Factory along with Scott Radke’s “Interface”, and Kathie Olivas‘ “Scout ”. An opening reception will occur April 5th from 6-9pm.
