Art: Matches and Mach

 

I recently came across a series of photographs of the match stick sculptures of Scottish artist David Mach (1956 - ).  It brings to mind Samuel Johnson’s comment on a woman’s preaching, that like a dog walking on its hind legs, the wonder of it is not that it is done well but that it is done at all.

Mach’s artistic style is based on assembling mass-produced found objects including magazines, vicious teddy bears, newspapers, car tyres, match sticks and coat hangers.  Many of his works are temporary and displayed in public places.

Mach began using match sticks in the early 1980’s to create human and animal heads.  After accidentally setting one on fire he now often ignites the works as performance art.  Reminds me of Johnson’s quote again.

More Mach pics in the future, today some of his match stick sculptures: