Graduate Studies

Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media and Design (MA, MDes and MFA)

Vanessa Krause

Kraft-Women

These solid bronze hands are cast from silicone moulds. They are meant as a tribute to women's work - the word "kraft" in German can mean strong, however, when read in English can also represent "craft" practices. The hands are heavy and solid - standing in contrast to the warm embrace of the subject's hands. A trace of time remains cast forever.

“Like photography (though with far greater effort), casting destabilizes the relationship between the artist’s touch and the work. For this reason, foundry casting, with its delegation of labour, fits awkwardly into the narratives of craft that are strongly associated with uniqueness.” (Glenn Adamson, “Power to the Second Craft”. in Metalsmith. Vol 38, No. 3. July 26, 2018. ).”