From the Street, Hyperrealistic Carved and Painted Wooden Sculptures of Discarded Objects

In his series “From The Street,” artist Tom Pfannerstill has created thoroughly convincing painted wooden sculptures of discarded objects. The sculptures–painstakingly carved from basswood and painted with acrylic and enamel paint–are all based on objects that Pfannerstill has picked up while walking on the street.

In the most obvious sense these pieces speak to issues of commercialism and consumerism. The objects reflect state-of-the-art-graphics; one can almost sense the well-planned and psychologically tested schemes to sell the products. They are a testament to the effectiveness of that marketing, after all, someone made the decision to purchase the product before consuming it and discarding the packaging. What happens next, though, is of greatest interest to me. These pieces are carried away and undergo a unique series of events that lead to their individuation.

photos via Tom Pfannerstill