Lullaby | Crystallized Sculpture (2023) Sculpture by Svetlana Matveeva (HandmadeHome)

STORY

“Sleep well, my sweetheart, forget about all the problems and worries. Nothing matters, as long as I’m here with you. Oh, it’s you… come in, but be careful not to wake up someone. Yes, I’m a mother now — the happiest mother ever. He fell on my head right out of nowhere. Now I can’t even imagine my life without this little creature. Let’s go into the kitchen, I’ll make you some tea.”

CREATION PROCESS

The original artwork is sculpted from Сosclay (flexible polymer clay) and crystallized. I also use acrylic paints pigments, metal and varieties of other materials. I grow crystals directly on the sculpture. Actually, crystals never ask how they should grow 🙂 They often grow pretty randomly. Although their behavior depends on the weather, temperature, humidity, pressure, magnetic field and God knows what else. Even sounds can influence the algorithm of crystal growth. That’s why I do my best to play good music for them 🙂 It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Universe itself participates in the process of creating each sculpture. That makes each piece especially unique.

CRYSTALLIZED WORKS CARE

I grow crystals directly on sculptures, keeping them in the solutions. I have only partial control over the process. So crystals usually make decisions for their own how they grow. The process of crystallization takes time. The result is always a surprise.

I use stable types of crystals. With proper care they will be pleasing your eye forever and ever. These crystals do not crumble and do not turn into dust with time. From my own experience, twenty-year-old crystal looks exactly the same as before.

Decades later, there is just a small chance of minor changes in transparency. But even this can be prevented with proper care. Therefore, these simple rules will help keeping crystallized works in their original state forever:

- Please, treat works carefully. Works must be stored indoors only.

- Crystals are strong enough. But they are still more fragile than stones. They mostly behave like glass. I additionally fix them on the sculpture surface, so they stay firmly in their places. But still, be careful, do not drop the sculpture and don’t keep your fingers on crystals when you hold it your hands.

- Keep crystallized works away from direct sunlight and water. These crystals are soluble in the water!! Be careful, do not expose them to water or other liquids.

- The best solution will be isolating crystallized artworks into display boxes or frames (depending on the form of the piece) to protect them from dust, differentials of temperature, and moisture. Limiting the impact of these external factors allows keeping crystals in their original state for centuries.

- Lighting is a great idea. That will make crystals shine truly fascinating. Make sure to use cold light sources such as LED. Although the crystals are able to withstand high temperatures, it is extremely important to avoid thermal effects on sculptures. UV light also does not benefit sculptures.

- Crystals are non-toxic. But they are still NOT EDIBLE.
Please, do not try to taste them!!! As well as other parts of artwork by the way:)

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