Jan Niedojadlo: Podules

How do we experience art? Perhaps the most common way is through our eyes. We use our sense of sight to explore a range of media and, in general, this forms our experience of, and constitutes our engagement with, a given work of art. Other senses, such as hearing and, to a lesser extent, touch, sometimes play a part in the encounter.

The sculpture of Jan Niedojadlo challenges this assumed and traditional notion of artistic engagement. In his large-scale pieces, Niedojadlo invites us to use a range of senses beyond our sight alone. The works are constructed from a variety of recycled materials, including foam, rubber and carpet and incorporate subtle effects of lighting, sound and smell (provided by essential oils and other sources). These gigantic sculptures are often, though not exclusively, inspired by natural and biological forms. Uniquely, visitors are encouraged to enter the sculptures, to fully immerse themselves within these distinct “other world” and experience the sights, sounds and smells within. Niedojadlo describes his work as art to be viewed on your back — and not just with your eyes and brain — but experienced with your whole body.

Jan Niedojadlo is living and working in the Somerset area working on commissions,exhibiting internationally. him and his wife catherine do workshops in schools and galleries locally and abroad. Just recently he has completed a new sculpture called the ‘Hands of God’ which is currently being shown in Stockholm.