VIRGIN GROUP WITH CHILD IN RECYCLED METAL

An abstract metal sculpture depicting the Virgin and Child, created from recycled materials. The sculpture rests on a small square base. The use of recycled objects in art is a recent technique that reflects our current society, a society of overconsumption and waste. Since 1914, with Marcel Duchamp, the pioneer of this technique, and his "ready-mades," the use of recycled objects in art has continued to evolve. Overconsumption and waste are addressed through the creation of artworks crafted solely from materials or objects that have already been used and are repurposed from their usual function in the form of statues or paintings. "Making something beautiful from something old" could be the motto of many artists, from Marcel Duchamp to Armand, César, or even Seo Young Deok, a Korean artist who creates human faces from bicycle chains. These artists, either due to a lack of financial resources or through experimentation with this recycling technique, have created works known throughout the world. This “art of recycling,” however, is not simply a search for discarded materials, but also involves the work of a skilled welder, as seen in the sculptures of Yves Carrey, for example. Indeed, these sculptures and statues are made from steel chains, springs, bolts, ball bearings, gears, engine parts, and many other pieces of recycled metal. The elements are welded together piece by piece, polished, and coated with a varnish to prevent corrosion. This new art form is now highly appreciated worldwide. 20th century, circa 1990. Dimensions: W: 18cm, D: 13cm, H: 59cm.