Sculpting or painting? There is no secret that between sculpting and painting I prefer sculpting. Yes, I like to paint, but I prefer sculpting much more. There is no secret that very few people sculpt and many people paint. When it comes to painting or sculpting parties, many people don’t know there are sculpting parties and by default they prefer painting until they try sculpting. If you visit a gallery today less than 10% of the pieces are sculptures, unless someone forgot a broom in a corner after cleaning and is calling it ‘a sculpture’. Many will disagree with me but placing an object in a room is ‘a statement’ not a sculpture. Sculptures are not many. In one of the books I’m in from about 350 artists only 5 are sculptors. Sometimes there are expressions that seem to separate sculptors from the rest of the artists like: artists and sculptors, call for artists and sculptors, accepting art and sculptures, and the like. Why is that?

Galleries and exhibit curators will justify this occurrence by pointing out the issue of space. Sculptures take more space and interestingly they often don’t have pedestals for them. Sculptures are also heavier and make it more work to display. Getting into art exhibits and shows is easier than coming in with paintings. They also might mention that collectors and people in general are more inclined to acquire paintings maybe because paintings don’t occupy that much space at home. I heard many times people with children who are afraid to buy sculptures because the kids can bump into them and because they don’t have much space at home. Artists justify the preference for painting over sculpting because of the cost of materials to produce, storage space, working space, mobility, in transit costs and risks, and did I mention space?

The world is 3D. It makes sense to me to translate from 3D to 3D. It also makes sense to me to translate from 2D to 3D. It also makes sense to me to translate images from 3D to 2D and 2D to 2D, but I prefer sculpting. When I am sculpting it feels like a conversation, a journey, an adventure that develops with every step. On the other hand, I’ve never been inclined to do what the majority of people is doing just because it is ‘the norm’, or cheaper, or easier, or more acceptable, or even more commercial. When many of people I knew were singing on stage I was doing comedy. The norm is not attractive to me. I enjoy sculpting. The fulfillment that comes with seeing my work alive is something I don’t feel when I paint.