Claudia Comte
Fire Coral (five fingers), 2020
Fire Coral (five fingers), 2020
Photo: Roman März | Comte Studio
TBA21–Academy
Commissions
Collection
Almond wood
67.5 x 84 x 31 cm
Commissioned by TBA21–Academy and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary
This new body of work by Claudia Comte was created during her six-week residency at the Alligator Head Foundation in Portland, Jamaica. Representing a developed interest in urgent questions surrounding the current state of the ocean, rising sea temperatures, and the impact of global warming on the livelihood of essential coral reefs, the new works also link to her broader established interests in environmental conservation and a continuation of her sculptural work in different wood species.
“I produced a number of sculptures whose forms are reminiscent of coral shapes – slightly abstracted and reduced to simple forms.” Made from the wood of fallen trees in Portland, the sculptures simultaneously evoke life through Comte’s signature stylistic references to the illustrative modes of cartoon and animation, while their hardness and inflexibility also summon the skeletal forms which remain after coral bleaching, a process which occurs as a result of ocean warming. Described as a “stress response” to rises in temperature, coral bleaching is the process by which corals rid themselves of non-functioning plants as quickly as possible, once their ability to photosynthesize and feed those plants has become impaired. As Chus Martinez has highlighted, Comte’s decision to produce a series of coral sculptures in her usual choice of wood has an associative effect: “The works create proxy corals from the core of their fellows in effort: trees… Their force lies in the humble way the material of one species translates the form of another.” The works ask viewers to think of the essential role played by these organisms to the livelihood of the planet and call attention to their rapidly occurring eradication through subtle material gestures. –Elsa Gray
67.5 x 84 x 31 cm
Commissioned by TBA21–Academy and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary
This new body of work by Claudia Comte was created during her six-week residency at the Alligator Head Foundation in Portland, Jamaica. Representing a developed interest in urgent questions surrounding the current state of the ocean, rising sea temperatures, and the impact of global warming on the livelihood of essential coral reefs, the new works also link to her broader established interests in environmental conservation and a continuation of her sculptural work in different wood species.
“I produced a number of sculptures whose forms are reminiscent of coral shapes – slightly abstracted and reduced to simple forms.” Made from the wood of fallen trees in Portland, the sculptures simultaneously evoke life through Comte’s signature stylistic references to the illustrative modes of cartoon and animation, while their hardness and inflexibility also summon the skeletal forms which remain after coral bleaching, a process which occurs as a result of ocean warming. Described as a “stress response” to rises in temperature, coral bleaching is the process by which corals rid themselves of non-functioning plants as quickly as possible, once their ability to photosynthesize and feed those plants has become impaired. As Chus Martinez has highlighted, Comte’s decision to produce a series of coral sculptures in her usual choice of wood has an associative effect: “The works create proxy corals from the core of their fellows in effort: trees… Their force lies in the humble way the material of one species translates the form of another.” The works ask viewers to think of the essential role played by these organisms to the livelihood of the planet and call attention to their rapidly occurring eradication through subtle material gestures. –Elsa Gray
As part of our commitment to regenerative practices, we have partnered with UreCulture to undertake a series of in-depth case studies examining the ecological and social impact of our collections and the commissioning processes behind them—both regenerative and challenging. These findings are consolidated in the Ecological and Social Impact of the TBA21 Collection reports.
This initiative represents our dedication to transparency and self-reflection, as we seek to honestly evaluate our practices. The results highlight the positive contributions of these artistic endeavors while shedding light on areas for improvement to further reduce our ecological footprint.
The inaugural study focuses on the life cycle of Claudia Comte’s artworks within the TBA21 Collection. Claudia’s collaboration with TBA21 began in 2018 during the TBA21–Academy expedition to New Zealand, The Current II, led by Chus Martínez. This journey culminated in the exhibitions After Nature in Madrid and Underwater Cacti in Jamaica, and included a residency at the Alligator Head Foundation in Jamaica. This ocean conservation hub, a scientific partner of TBA21–Academy, deeply influenced Claudia’s Underwater Cacti project, inspired by the foundation’s coral regeneration program.
Comte’s artistic practice delves into the history and memory of biomorphic forms, blending traditional handcrafting techniques with industrial machine processes. Her installations center around monumental wall paintings and sculptural series that draw inspiration from organic patterns and morphologies such as waves, sonar, rock strata, cacti, and coral reefs.
Case Study: Claudia Comte
This initiative represents our dedication to transparency and self-reflection, as we seek to honestly evaluate our practices. The results highlight the positive contributions of these artistic endeavors while shedding light on areas for improvement to further reduce our ecological footprint.
The inaugural study focuses on the life cycle of Claudia Comte’s artworks within the TBA21 Collection. Claudia’s collaboration with TBA21 began in 2018 during the TBA21–Academy expedition to New Zealand, The Current II, led by Chus Martínez. This journey culminated in the exhibitions After Nature in Madrid and Underwater Cacti in Jamaica, and included a residency at the Alligator Head Foundation in Jamaica. This ocean conservation hub, a scientific partner of TBA21–Academy, deeply influenced Claudia’s Underwater Cacti project, inspired by the foundation’s coral regeneration program.
Comte’s artistic practice delves into the history and memory of biomorphic forms, blending traditional handcrafting techniques with industrial machine processes. Her installations center around monumental wall paintings and sculptural series that draw inspiration from organic patterns and morphologies such as waves, sonar, rock strata, cacti, and coral reefs.
Case Study: Claudia Comte