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Concrete Collaboration
Concrete and ceramics come together to form an organic yet sleek result in this unique art piece. Now hanging in a home in Chicago, it was crafted in Evanston, IL by Andrew Kerr of Kerr Concrete Designs and Joanna Kramer, a ceramic artist. Kerr employed concrete for this sculpture because of its capability to produce “larger, more powerful pieces.”
Project Objective + Client Feedback
According to Kerr, who has worked with decorative concrete for 4 years, the goal for this sculpture was “to combine concrete and ceramic in a way that was beautiful and modern, but simple and clean.”
The Kerr-Kramer team’s juxtaposition of concrete and ceramic sculpture, entitled Landscape, reached at least one client at an emotional level—a true mark of fine art. The ceramic and concrete wall art piece was sold on the opening night of a show at a Chicago art gallery.
Design + Expertise
The ceramic pieces were hand-cut, then kiln-fired over a period of four days on a farm in Galena, IL. This organic process fits well with the artists’ inspiration for the sculpture, which was the natural surroundings and flat, agrarian landscape of Illinois.
Kerr and Kramer wanted to challenge the possibilities of ceramic art by incorporating concrete, which is, in Kerr’s words, “a medium that can do things clay cannot.” The process of putting together such a powerful piece came with its own challenges. Mounting the slabs, for example, proved to be difficult due to their size and weight. Another difficulty was polishing down the surface of the piece without damaging the glaze of the ceramic inlays. However, these setbacks did not diminish the visual and emotional effect of the finished product – the variegated, rough-hewn quality of the ceramic, earthen pieces combine with the solidarity of the concrete in a way that provides contrast to the sculpture’s contemporary pattern and rhythm.
2010 Best Sculpture, CHENG Concrete Exchange Design Challenge
Recognized in the industry as the pinnacle of exceptional design and craftsmanship, the CHENG Concrete Exchange Design Challenge showcases talent and technical skill of the very best in creative concrete.
About Kerr Concrete Designs
Kerr Concrete Designs is a small, Evanston, IL-based company specializing in custom concrete kitchen countertops. They strive to create products in harmony with their clients’ personal aesthetics. Working “greenly” is also very important to them – they use non-toxic materials and sealants, and often reuse construction materials.
Contact: Andrew Kerr
Kerr Concrete Designs
729 Emerson St
Evanston, IL 60201
847.644.6131
www.kerrconcrete.com
www.joannakramer.com