Mom & Dad: Media: Painted Corrugated Cardboard

Theme     Healing    History

In 1994, Nannette constructed many linear macquettes from thin strips of corrugated-cardboard boxes. The cardboard's composition intrigued her. As she  cut the corrugated-cardboard boxes into thin strips, she exposed the cardboard's center and found meaning in the cardboard's composition. To her, the center wavy line is the "line of life." It sits between two flat planes (that press in on the wavy line). This interaction symbolizes how quickly the satisfying moments of life can be disrupted, and the constant struggle of time verses responsibilities.

At the time, these macquettes led to fabricated steel sculptures, but Nannette knew she would someday return to this medium in earnest.  In 1997, she began to explore the possibilities and in 2004, incorporated wire to reinforce the cardboard which made the medium more sturdy, yet pliable. Because of her background in metal, Nannette is constantly seeking new ways to make "the fragile" more resilient.

Carnival 4, 2000, cardboard, 30"x36"x24"

Nannette had  a group of small unpainted-cardboard sculptures cast in bronze; in preparation, all cardboard surfaces were covered and the holes were filled with wax. This was a time-consuming, yet rewarding experiment.      

         
 Dad, 1999, bronze, 12"x11"x10"                 Spider, 1999, bronze, 19"x15"x9"