pencilworks

Back in kindergarten, I learned the basic things that I could do with a pencil:

1. Write.
2. Draw.
3. Stab an annoying classmate.

But through the years I discovered that pencils could also be used as backscratchers, earpicks, darts, bookmarkers, chopsticks, corkboard pins, etc. I especially like filling a coffee mug with newly-sharpened colored pencils and using it as decor, in lieu of flower arrangements.

My artist-friend Christina Quisumbing-Ramilo has been more inventive with pencils. Her latest artworks make use of hundreds of them glued together to create bas relief-type sculptures of various kinds.

From paisley-shaped eraserheads to pencil tips that form a large teardrop.

Don't these remind you of art deco architecture? Like the top of the Chrysler Building?

Honeycombs?

Deep sea flora?

I like the one on the right. The arrow-tips inside the black crater look like volcanic spew.

From pencil scraps to pencil art. From a simple tool to a slew of possibilities. Congratulations, Christina – once again, you've turned the mundane into magical. :-)

These sculptures were part of a group show entitled "PARAMETERS + PLAY + REPETITION = PATTERNS" at the Manila Contemporary Art Gallery along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati City, Philippines. Conceptual artist Judy Freya Sibayan curated the exhibition.

(Top) The bearbrick with childlike pencil scrawls is the Series 8 Secret Bearbrick. Named 'Stash & Ariel', it was created by Brooklyn-based graffiti artist Stash (a.k.a. Josh Franklin). From spray painting 60 X 20 feet subway trains in the eighties, 37-year old Stash has moved on to selling his brand of pop art in galleries, collaborating with fashion labels such as Nike and his own Recon streetwear, and designing toys. See more pics here.

Info from livingproofmag.com and guardian.co.uk. All pics by Bearbrick Lover, Copyright 2009.