Silverfish III 1981

Peter Alexander created "Silverfish III" from resin, a material that can be cast into many forms. Alexander was among a group of California artists in the 1960s who took full advantage of plastics technology. The inherent qualities of resin—its capacity for translucency and color—are on full display here. But the material is also interesting in terms of its social context. It's a distinctly modern material, the product of industrial chemistry. Its use signaled a willingness to engage with the contemporary world, rather than retreating into traditional art materials. The labor involved is also worth considering. While resin casting doesn't require the same level of manual skill as, say, marble carving, it does demand careful attention to detail. The artist must control the curing process to achieve the desired effect. Ultimately, "Silverfish III" invites us to reconsider our assumptions about what constitutes "fine art." By embracing a humble, mass-produced material, Alexander challenges the traditional hierarchy that places painting and sculpture above craft and design.