Eternal fish 2015

This sculpture, Eternal Fish, was made by Teddy Cobeña, but I don't know when. The planes and textures that form it are a reminder that artmaking is fundamentally about process. A fish skeleton formed of rough hewn triangles, it resembles a child's toy as much as an organic form. I'm really drawn to the texture of the surfaces, which are neither smooth nor perfectly geometric. Instead, the planes have a raw feel, suggesting that the artist worked quickly and intuitively. The patina is also great, with its mix of greens and browns adding depth and character to the form. Look at how the lines of the 'ribs' are allowed to bleed into each other, blurring the distinction between the planes. Eternal Fish reminds me a bit of the work of Constantin Brancusi, with its simplified forms and emphasis on material presence. Like Brancusi, Cobeña seems interested in the essence of the subject, rather than its literal representation. Ultimately, this sculpture is an invitation to embrace ambiguity and multiple interpretations. It resists fixed meanings, allowing viewers to bring their own associations and experiences to the work.