The sculptor uses chainsaws and fine craftsmanship to transform timber into delicate floral forms.
In the quiet intensity of the studio, sculptor Susanne Auslender is redefining the boundaries between industrial force and botanical delicacy. Her latest exhibition, 'February Roses,' currently hosted at Galerie Barbara von Stechow, showcases a unique creative process that begins with the aggressive bite of a chainsaw and ends with the meticulous refinement of master craftsmanship. By working with wood—a medium often associated with weight and rigidity—Auslender challenges the viewer's perception of nature and materiality.
The works in 'February Roses' explore the sculptural power of floral forms, yet they avoid the sentimentality often associated with the subject. Instead, Auslender focuses on the structural integrity and monumental presence of plants. The process is one of physical endurance and aesthetic precision; she must navigate the grain of the wood to reveal blossoms that appear simultaneously robust and fragile. This duality is central to her practice, as she strips away the bulk of the timber to find the 'echo' of a rose or a leaf hidden within.
By combining heavy machinery with the 'finest craftsmanship,' Auslender elevates the act of carving into a dialogue between the artist and the organic life of the wood. The resulting pieces do not merely represent flowers; they embody the tension of growth and the permanence of form. In a contemporary art world often dominated by digital media, Auslender’s commitment to the tactile, subtractive process of woodcarving serves as a reminder of the enduring power of hand-wrought sculpture. Her ability to coax softness from a block of wood through such violent tools as a chainsaw speaks to a high level of technical mastery and a deep understanding of her medium's inherent limitations and possibilities.
Auslender’s work demonstrates how contrasting tools—like chainsaws and fine chisels—can be harmonized to create sophisticated textures. It inspires artists to experiment with unconventional toolsets to push the boundaries of traditional materials like wood.
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