Wax Works IX 1987

Nancy Graves' "Wax Works IX" is an intriguing sculpture that blends organic and industrial vibes in a playful way. Imagine Graves in her studio, building up this piece with layers of wax, metal, and pigment. She's building something up from nothing, and the process must have felt a bit like archaeology, unearthing a strange artifact. The textures are everything here. There are drippy, waxy surfaces contrasting with hard, angular edges. And the colors, a mix of earthy browns, greens, and blues, give it this slightly surreal, almost otherworldly feel. I'm thinking about other sculptors who weren't afraid to mix it up. Maybe someone like Eva Hesse, who also played with unconventional materials and forms. It's like artists are always pushing boundaries. They are picking up where someone else left off, building on the conversation, and creating something totally new.