Sweetlove, William | African dog with shoes and water bottles, 2011 — available on Composition Gallery

// William Sweetlove’s African Dog with Shoes and Water Bottles (2011) is a striking red resin sculpture that combines elements of surrealism with environmental commentary. The sculpture depicts a life-sized dog outfitted with human shoes and water bottles strapped to its back, creating a hybrid form that is both humorous and thought-provoking. Sweetlove’s work often addresses themes of adaptation and survival, especially in the context of climate change. The red color amplifies the sense of urgency and draws immediate attention, while the unusual accessories suggest that the animal must prepare for a changing environment. Part of a limited edition of 50, this piece encourages viewers to consider humanity’s impact on nature and the adaptive measures animals may need to survive.

William Sweetlove (Belgium, 1949) is a contemporary sculptor and member of the Cracking Art Group. His vibrant, often oversized animal sculptures, crafted from recycled materials, address themes of environmental sustainability and climate change. Sweetlove's works have been exhibited internationally, emphasizing the impact of human activity on nature.

William Sweetlove

African dog with shoes and water bottles, 2011

Name: African dog with shoes and water bottles, 2011
SKU: 1629

Form

Sculpture / Object

Sculpture / ObjectA sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or wood. Modeling and casting use clay or wax, while constructions glue materials together.

Medium

mixed media

mixed mediaResin can be derived from both natural sources, such as pine sap, and synthetic processes. Natural resin comes from tree sap, while synthetic resin is a type of dense, easily molded plastic. Resin is commonly used in sculpture, and it can also enhance the vibrancy of paint colors.

Edition

Edition of 50

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●Inventory 1629

Sculpture / Object

Porcelain

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Cloned blue (...), 2007

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Cloned GOLD (...), 2010

Sculpture / Object

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Art is not a message, art is art, but if you have a message, why not?
- William Sweetlove

William Sweetlove (b. 1949 Belgium) is a Belgian contemporary artist known for his thought-provoking and humorous sculptures that often address themes of consumerism, environmental issues, and the human impact on nature. Sweetlove’s work is characterized by his use of vibrant colors, enlarged everyday objects, and a playful, surreal aesthetic. He is best known for his series of brightly colored animal sculptures, particularly dogs, penguins, and turtles, often depicted with water bottles, boots, or other accessories attached to them. These whimsical yet poignant sculptures are part of his collaboration with the Cracking Art Group, a collective that uses recycled plastic to create artworks with an ecological message. Sweetlove’s art serves as a commentary on the excesses of modern society and the urgent need for sustainability, while also engaging viewers with its accessible and humorous approach. His work has been exhibited internationally, and he is recognized as an important figure in contemporary ecological art, blending environmental activism with pop art sensibilities. (Artist website)

Artwork by William Sweetlove

What is Kitsch?

Kitsch is a term used to describe cheap, commercial, sentimental, or vulgar art and objects commonly associated with popular culture. The word is borrowed from German, where it originally means trash. Since the 1920s, kitsch has been used to denote the opposite of high art, often implying that the work lacks sophistication or artistic merit.

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William Sweetlove