Caephae-Aekyad #2 1980

Douglas Abdell made "Caephae-Aekyad #2" without revealing the date, using simple geometric forms. The way these shapes stack up, it feels like Abdell was figuring it out as he went along, like a kid playing with blocks, but with a serious, grown-up twist. The sculpture has this heavy, grounded feel, but then you notice the precarious balance, how it's almost defying gravity. I love how the flat, dark surfaces catch the light differently, creating subtle shifts in tone that give the sculpture depth. It’s not just a solid mass; it’s a play of light and shadow, a conversation between forms. Notice the top block, how it angles slightly, as if it might topple? This tension makes the whole piece come alive. Abdell created a whole series of these stacked sculptures. You can see him working through similar ideas, pushing the limits of balance and form, but each one has its own unique character. It’s like he was having a conversation with himself.