Another wonderful marble sculpture with an intriguing provenance. Unsigned. Part of a series by Paul Jencik, circa 1998-2001.

This totemic sculpture carved in Tinos Green marble, is made from three laminated blocks and has attractive veining. This assertive, exuberant upright can be interpreted in many ways. Jencik references human, animal and natural forms but never quite allows us to reach a conclusion about origins.

Jencik was a welder, boatbuilder and metal worker with a strong creative drive but without the opportunity or artistic training that would afford his work any recognition. He created a large series of marble and timber sculptures of merit. He was active in the fringe Arts movement around Melbourne's western suburbs through the 1990s and early 2000s.

His work is robust, humorous and energetic - a notable achievement for works in stone.

His style carries strong elements of 1990s pop culture, graphic design, Pop Art, and Street Art. Some of the artistic and design heavy-weights it brings to mind are Philippe Starck, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Wendell Castle and Constantin Brancusi. Yet, his work stands out as a unique expression of the 90s street aesthetic - it’s ‘of its time’ but utterly individual.

His strange biomorphic forms create a curious sense of the familiar which we can never quite pin down - are they mineral, botanical, animal or human? Something is struggling to emerge. Menacing or vulnerable, we’re not sure. It’s hard to fix on definitions and as a consequence they compel our attention.

Jencik's sculptures are small, energetic idols. On the one hand, they’re playful explorations of the materials he had at hand, frequently featuring lamination of different coloured stones. On the other, there’s a deeper tension. His forms are bound. Bands of tension wring the surface at every angle. Energy bulges out of the boundaries.

Perhaps this is emblematic of Jencik’s drive to realise his own expression in spite of the constraints of his time, place and circumstances.

The examples we've acquired are a small selection of his prolific work. We feel sure he’ll find greater recognition as more are discovered and come to market.

We are currently seeking contact with the artist.

DIMENSIONS:

Height 34.7 cm

Width 13 cm

Depth 10 cm at base, 4 cm through upright

CONDITION:

Excellent. Some very insignificant scuffs.