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The works in this exhibition are a summation of that effort and a reflection of new ideas and an ongoing exploration of sculpture as a means of communication. These are extraordinarily crafted and meticulously conceived.
“The inspiration for the ‘Tools’ comes from Quaternary, the principle of four that is universally prevalent in all cultures around the world. The quaternary is a celebration of primal phenomena, like the four elements that support our lives. The attributes of the four are the ingredients of our being. Called by different names, represented by different symbols at different times, combined in different proportions, the four are a consistent theme in evolving humanity’s consciousness. The Quaternary is a metaphor for crossing borders, for reaching out to the other. It is, in fact, an open invitation to become the other.”
“Like the direct carver Raoul Hague – my mentor – I am an immigrant from the Middle East, of Armenian descent, live in a forest in the Hudson Valley, and carve local wood, away from the art scene of NYC. For the past 35 years, I have worked to create three-dimensional tools/sculptures for facilitating transferences, which involve the whole person and all of the senses. My overarching goal is to transcend borders, to help shape a new paradigm of commonality. The challenge is to overcome the baggage of the past, through a fresh actualization of the four disciplines embraced by he creative process: philosophy, spirituality, science and the arts. It is my conviction that the purpose and highest aspiration of the artist is the evolution of the human species.”
While most who create paintings, sculpture or other art forms clamor to wear the badge of being called “artist”, Kardash Onnig truly transcends those limits to the heights of “inventor”. He is an author, an inventor, a toymaker, a chemist.
His childhood heritage was that of craft. His participation in corporate America in the 1960’s revolved around his unique concepts and ideas of the world. From designing the exhibition for American Express at the NY World’s Fair to being a consultant in the creation of “Sesame Street”, Onnig’s particular visions was in great demand (has always been).
In 1968 he left the corporate world to dedicate his life to sculpting and the development of a visual universal alphabet.
Please contact the gallery for prices.
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