tom sachs sculpts bricolage versions of everyday objects at thaddaeus ropac paris

from january 20 to february 20, 2021, thaddaeus ropac presents ‘ritual’, an exhibition of new sculptures by tom sachs in the main space of the paris marais gallery + online. influenced by the subcultures of an urban metropolis like new york, the artist replicates commonplace industrial objects using everyday materials, including plywood, cardboard, resin, tape, and paint. the bricolage works are exhibited on bespoke pedestals inspired by modernist shapes, demonstrating the comprehensive spectrum of sachs’ distinctive sculptural practice.installation views of tom sachs ‘ritual’, courtesy thaddaeus ropac, london – paris – salzburg

installation images by charles duprat

artwork images by genevieve hanson © tom sachs

each sculpture in ‘ritual’ is characterised by the same bricolage aesthetic that has gained tom sachs a unique position in the field of contemporary sculpture. on display at the main space of the thaddaeus ropac paris marais gallery, the new works reference commonplace industrial objects found in new york city’s corner stores, known as bodegas due to their roots in the city’s latin american communities of the 1950s. using everyday materials, including plywood, cardboard, resin, tape, and pain, sachs has sculpted bricolage versions of these objects, which are then exhibited on bespoke pedestals inspired by modernist shapes.

with this new body of works, sachs reflects on consumerism while dealing with the history of new york city, and american culture at large. pieces in the exhibition include the totem-like ’ice box’ (2020), which draws from the everyday object often found outside of bodegas and corner markets across the city. with three plywood cameras mounted on it, the sculpture becomes a panopticon and introduces the issue of surveillance in urban spaces.

in ‘the laundress’ (2015), tom sachs references another essential necessity of city life: the 24/7 laundromat. in the artist’s hands, the laundry basket becomes an exploration of the grey area between the public and private, reflecting the juxtaposition of performing the mundane yet intimate rituals of daily life in a public space so intrinsic to the cultural landscape of the city. placed on a pedestal, formally lifted from brancusi’s studio, the lowly laundry basket is elevated to the position of high art.

tom sachs sculpts bricolage versions of everyday objects at thaddaeus ropac paris

tom sachs, ‘the laundress’, 2015, latex paint, polyurethane varnish, epoxy resin, plywood, 41,9 x 70,8 x 70,8 cm (16,5 x 27,875 x 27,875 in)

tom sachs, ‘ice box’ , 2020, plywood, authentic polymer and mixed media including steel hardware and security cameras, 191,8 x 63,5 x 45,7 cm (75,5 x 25 x 18 in)

tom sachs, ‘the kiss’, 2016, plywood, steel hardware, 81,3 x 33 x 27,9 cm (32 x 13 x 11 in)

tom sachs, ‘tide bottle (orange)’, 2020, mixed media, including synthetic, polymer on cardboard and epoxy resin. sculpture : 25,4 x 20,3 x 10,2 cm (10 x 8 x 4 in), pedestal overall: 115,6 x 38,1 x 38,1 cm (45,5 x 15 x 15 in), pedestal bottom: 30,5 x 30,5 cm (12 x 12 in)