One of the greatest benefits of a course at Visual Studies Workshop in Museum and Gallery Management was the behind the scenes tour of the set-up for the Memorial Art Gallery’s 2001 Finger Lakes exhibit. The pros and cons of installing a gallery show were explained as we walked through the show’s gallery space.

As we turned a corner in the exhibit space, Benjamin Entner’s giant, inflated nude male figure titles “Self Portrait on a Cold Day” was a delightful artistic discovery. His piece really intrigued me since I have spent many years creating my own 3-dimensional stuffed pieces I’ve painted and drawn on — similar to Entner’s technique.

Benjamin Entner's "Self Portrait on a Cold Day"

He draws on his fabric with Sharpie marker, making shadows and highlights with the lines. Entner creates tension in the fabric by inflating it, and at the same time his hard black lines on the soft fabric create a different type of tension.

He experiments with materials and plays conceptually as he creates his work. The viewer interacts and reacts with his work through the use of large physical presence, wonder and humor.

His artist’s statement says he “explores the boundaries and interplay between two and three dimensional methods of making. Specifically, the point at which a drawing can become form and an object can become representation.”

“Self Portrait on a Cold Day” certainly is a drawing that has become a form, as well as bringing humor and wonder into my experience.

More of his fun artwork can be seen on his website:
http://www.benjaminentner.com/