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ROBIN ANTAR Realism in Stone
SHE’S BLIND IN ONE EYE AND YET THIS 50 YEAR OLD MOM OF THREE CAN METICULOUSLY CARVE 600 POUNDS OF STONE INTO A BAG OF MILANO® COOKIES THAT LOOK SO REAL, THEY HAVE THE ONLOOKER WONDERING, “IS THIS A SCULPTURE, OR THE REAL THING?”
Brooklyn, New York artist Robin Antar, who’s been sculpting since the age of 14, has carved a niche for herself with her unique array of work known as “Realism In Stone,” award winning sculptures that represent icons of Americana.
Among her many works are Boxing Gloves (carved Carerre Marble & Bronze), French’s® Mustard (carved Yellow Travertine), Heinz® ketchup (carved Red Travertine), Hellman’s® Mayonnaise (carved White Travertine Marble), York Peppermint Pattie®
in stainless steel), Bag of Oreo®
(carved stone then cast cookies (carved
marble), Soda Can (carved marble and mixed media), Paint Tube (carved from marble and steel), and Crest®
Toothpaste with Brush (carved marble and vinyl), and others.
Currently, a selection of her sculptures can be seen at POP International Galleries in New York City, where she has been chosen as the first female to be represented at the gallery. She is in the good company of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring, among others (
www.popinternational.com).
She can spend anywhere from three to six months on a piece. To create a boot, for example, Antar cut lines and made deep scratches in the stone to mimic the sole. She tinted it with a thin coat of black, letting the grains of the stone show through. She then applied a thicker coat on the sole, creating the look of rubber.
“I record markings and symbols that reflect an object’s life and use, including their wear and tear in the form of creases, folds, dents and crevices,” said Antar, a graduate of New York’s School of Visual Arts. “Most of the carvings are done in life scale and are intended to challenge the viewer to discern the sculpture from the original object.”
Indeed, her artwork is amazingly lifelike. An Italian shoe shows the ever-so-slight signs of wear, and a plate of cookies, stacked just so, forces an observer to look twice before considering whether to swipe one. At a recent exhibit, her artwork had to be roped off because many people felt the urge to touch them.
ANTAR
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