Image: Horse Hair Column Christiane Löhr, 2017. Horse hair, needles.
The artist’s interest in horses grew after winning one in a game of local bingo at the age of 18. Later, Christiane studied art under Jannis Kounellis, who was well known for his performances with horses in Dusseldorf. Thus began a commitment to using familiar materials around her to develop shapes and constructions from the everyday: horse hair, hay, straw and plant seeds.
“For me, every hair was like a kind of jewel, and it began like that,” said Christiane. “I began to keep the hair then I began to study art.”
Image: Burr Oval Christiane Löhr, 2009. Burr seeds, dog hair.
Horse Hair Column is a minimal airy structure, rigorously executed and - in its ambitious scale and the form of its display - architectural in character. It contrasts with the denser, more compact works such as Burr Oval (2009) made from burr seeds and dog hair and the cushion of plant seeds and dog hair Permeable Fleece (2010). In their surface tactile qualities, these pieces invite contemplation and the possibility of the hand to reach out, touch and hold. Their precise crafting from ephemera makes them environmentally sensitive and allows us to explore delicate worlds as a metaphor of our own.
Image: Permeable Fleece Christiane Löhr, 2010. Plant seeds, dog hair.
1 comment
Fantastic. I am excited to read more of this artist.