Thursday Salute to Originals: Piñata Sculptures
Piñatas: fun, candy-filled papier-mâché creations just waiting to be smashed with a bat at a child’s birthday party. That’s what you think of when you hear ‘piñata’ too, right? Well, artist Robert Benavidez’s has something totally different in mind when it comes to piñatas. And trust us, you won’t want to smash these!
Known for his whimsical sculptures, Benavidez’s latest installment of piñatas are based on more traditional art – a refreshing departure from the obnoxious cartoon characters and technicolor animals that are typically represented in piñata-form.
Using the famous Dutch painter, Hieronymus Bosch, as inspiration, Benavidez crafted his sculptures to resemble Bosch’s various art subjects, albeit in a completely different – and unrelated – medium (if piñatas can be considered their own “medium” that is…). The colorful pieces are just as pleasing as the candy that normally waits inside. The form, texture, color, and whimsy embodied in each sculpture is truly remarkable, forcing the viewer to acknowledge and appreciate the effort behind these works of art.
Today we salute Robert Benavidez for his life-sized piñata recreations. The jury is still out on whether or not there’s candy actually hiding inside, but in our opinion, it doesn’t really matter. The way in which his piñatas re-imagine traditional Bosch paintings in unconventional form, vibrant color, and meticulous texture, is treat enough for us!
Sources: Robert Benavidez, This is Colossal